Noonan: Obama Is Our Hail Mary Pass

America is buzzing, and apart from occasional chuckles about Sarah Palin, the buzz is all about one man: President-elect Barack Obama. “The idea has settled in that America just threw long,” writes Peggy Noonan of the Wall Street Journal. We gave the presidency to a man we barely know, “praying for a dazzling reception.” His approval ratings, now at 70%, will only go higher, because “people want him to catch the ball.”

Obama takes power in dire times, and if he does well, his election will truly mark a political realignment in this country. But don’t worry, young Republicans, “nothing in politics is permanent.” Renewal will come from competent Republican governors. And “if Obama doesn’t catch the pass and cross the goal line, it will mean this election marked a moment, not a movement.” (More President Obama stories.)