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'This Is Our Moment. This Is Our Time.'

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 4, 2008 11:56 PM CST

(Newser) – President-elect Barack Obama addressed the country and the world for the first time tonight, vowing to unite a nation beset by trouble at home and abroad, the Chicago Tribune reports. "Change has come to America," Obama told a crowd of tens of thousands at Chicago's Grant Park and millions more watching around the world. "Our stories are singular, but our destinies are shared."

Speaking for just under 20 minutes, Obama praised John McCain and invoked the words of another president from Illinois: "As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies, but friends." The president-elect took the stage with his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, whom their dad thanked by saying, "You have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and daughter Sasha, 7, wave as they take the stage at his election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and daughter Sasha, 7, wave as they take the stage at his election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President-elect Barack Obama waves as he takes the stage at his election night party in Chicago's Grant Park, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama waves as he takes the stage at his election night party in Chicago's Grant Park, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
President-elect Barack Obama walks on stage with his daughter Sasha, 7, to deliver his victory speech at his election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama walks on stage with his daughter Sasha, 7, to deliver his victory speech at his election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has
come to America. - President-elect Barack Obama

To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn,? I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too. - Barack Obama

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
whtmountain
Nov 5, 2008 3:32 AM CST
AMEN
inky
Nov 5, 2008 12:43 AM CST
Spot on!
jaguarj
Nov 4, 2008 9:37 PM CST
History? Indeed. We could not have asked for more. Thanks AMERICA!!!!
 

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