Paul Pepperall, King City
With his "This is your victory" speech in Chicago, Barack Obama applied the final brush stoke on his political self-portrait. Strong and with finesse, he even made conciliatory overtures to the Republicans by invoking Abraham Lincoln and the values of self-reliance, individual liberty and national unity.
Americans are now ready to accept the notion that their country belongs to an inter-dependent global society and that this African-American president is the new face of leadership for the 21st century.
Obama is a man with a broader vision, a conservative Democrat who believes that real change comes slowly. He harbours no illusion about the importance of maintaining a strong military. But he will not allow the blurring of lines between national security and the "moral superiority" of the Bush years. Attempts to change other societies have failed. He will favour international diplomacy to strengthen his country's alliances.
On election night we were all swept away by the intensity and immediacy of Obama's success. Especially moving was his account of Ann Nixon Cooper, a woman born a generation away from slavery, who endured the hardships of segregation and exclusion by gender. As a new era dawns, do we dare hope that one day there will be a similarly inspiring victory speech by the first female president of the U.S.?
Raffaella Mio, Woodbridge
I am a white grandmother from Georgia, but I also live in Oshawa and love both countries. I returned to Georgia because I felt it necessary to vote in this election. I voted in a county that is very racist and very white. I am proud to be an Obama supporter. The world was watching and the world won.
Sandra Jean Allen, Georgia
Four years ago today, when I learned that George W. Bush had been re-elected, I applied for Canadian citizenship. Then I wrote a letter that was printed in the Star, pouring out my anger and despair over what I saw happening to my country. I couldn't reconcile myself with the image of what America was supposed to be and what it had become in the eyes of the world. I was ashamed of being American.
As I watched Obama give his acceptance speech from my home state of Illinois, I felt a warm feeling in my stomach for the country where I was born and raised, for the first time in eight years. Now I can proudly say I'm a citizen of two countries: Canada and the U.S., which again feels like home.
Lisa Levy, Toronto
Obama's win is a victory for humanity and for those people who dream of making the world a better place. It has proved that America is a superpower not only in arms, but a true champion of democracy, a country where democracy breathes in the heart of people. Like the U.S. astronauts landing on the moon, this was a giant step for mankind.
Sajid Manzar, Brampton
The greatest obstacle John McCain faced was Iraq invader and economy destroyer, Bush. America could not afford the continuation of these failed policies under McCain.
Kris Sahay, Winnipeg
At a time when America's global image was at its lowest ebb, the ideals of democracy have prevailed. Even the most vocal detractors of the U.S. will now ponder what constitutes a great nation. America, before Bush era, was a beacon of human rights, moderation and progress. The Bush-Cheney duo's war hysteria made the U.S. a violator of those ideals. Certainly we are witnessing history in the making.
Bahadar Ali Khan, Markham
Congratulations to the American people and nation. You have come into the 21st century with both honour and dignity.
Kenneth T. Tellis, Mississauga
The U.S. secret service now has one of its most critical assignments in generations: protecting its nation's most precious asset!
K. Nolan, Caldragh, Ireland
I watched a remarkable nation, her people with tears in their eyes, stand proudly once more, galvanized by a new sense of hope. Now, the world can dare to dream again.
Jonathan O'Mara, Whitby
The hopes of my generation were partially extinguished with the assassination of JFK. With the selection of Barack Obama, the torch of hope has been re-kindled. May we be so fortunate in Canada.
John Bullick, Mississauga
Merely by becoming president, Obama has dispelled many myths about America. He has made it far harder for the spreaders of hate in the Islamic world to denounce the Great Satan, and far harder for autocrats to claim that American democracy is a sham. At home he has salved the ugly racial wound left by America's history. This is not just a win for the Democrats, the U.S., or Obama, but for the free world.
Luke Mansillo, Sydney, Australia
Congratulations to the Star. Your paper went to press at 1:30 a.m., but it wasn't just the front page that was held for election news. Even the cartoons were up to date. How about a story on how you could do this and still be on the street for early morning delivery? Well done!
Iain Campbell, Toronto
It's bitter-sweet that Alabama, where the civil rights movement began, did not vote for Obama.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa
The most amazing moment of a historic evening was after Obama`s speech, when his and Biden's family assembled on stage, all mixed together. This is a picture that will remain in my mind for a long time.
Ashley Varadi-Starer, Thornhill
The American people must be commended for saying No to the extremism and arrogance of the Bush administration. The entire world rejoices in Obama's win. The American people have spoken – loud and clear – in favour of change. Obama's win should be a wake up call to other leaders who followed Mr. Bush's failed policies, such as Stephen Harper. Extremism only leads to hatred that will destroy our global village.
Abubakar N. Kasim, Toronto
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