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Washington Faces Seismic Shift

Obama will be one of the most powerful presidents of the modern era, says Politico

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2008 11:41 AM CST

(Newser) – The election of a relatively young black man to the presidency carries obvious historical significance—but beyond the symbolism, John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei write for Politico, last night marked one of the most momentous political transformations in modern American history. The rout of the Republican party means that Barack Obama will be the most powerful Democratic president since LBJ ushered in the Great Society.

Obama's post-partisan message notwithstanding, the Dems now "have the capital in a headlock," which will transform the composition of everything from the courts to the civil service. And it's not just Washington that will never be the same; politics itself has been revolutionized. Whereas only four years ago the legacy of Vietnam sank John Kerry, today, "the 1960s are over—finally."

[Images (4)]

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President-elect Barack Obama waves after giving his acceptance speech at Grant Park in Chicago Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Obama supporters cheer in the streets in downtown Chicago after the announcement that Barack Obama is the projected winner Tuesday, November 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Stacie Freudnberg)

President-elect Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech at Grant Park in Chicago Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

Barack Obama supporters celebrate at Hyde Park Hair Salon, where Barack Obama gets his hair cut on the south side of Chicago, Tuesday, Nov, 4, 2008, after Obama won the election. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

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The Democrats’ moment with Obama, as a brilliant campaigner confronts the challenges of governance, could also prove fleeting. For now, the results suggest seismic change that goes far beyond Obama's 4% margin. - John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei

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Washington Faces Seismic Shift