Savoring Obama's victory with grace
Barack Obama is the brand new president-elect of the United States of America.
The challenges of his anticipated office have become increasingly more daunting since the Democratic Convention speech that unveiled him as a force to be dealt with by Democratics and Republicans alike.
On the night of his election, tens of thousands of fervent supporters gathered in and around Grant Park to hear Obama give his victory speech against a backdrop of Chicago's skyline.
Tens of millions more watched him on TV, listened to him on radio and Googled him on the Internet.
America now has a force for unity on deck for the White House and Democrats in both houses of Congress have increased their majorities.
It is now up to Obama and his party to fulfill the promise of his candidacy.
On a side note, the cheering and teary crowds in downtown Chicago left behind only food wrappers, pop cans and empty water bottles.
Those who had predicted dire consequences for Obama's election were proven to be wildly mistaken.
Karen Wagner
Rolling Meadows