Carolyn and I have broken out the champagne as Barack Obama has just been "called" as the president-elect of the United States. It is truly a transformative moment for the United States and, I hope, for the world.

We're watching hundreds of thousands of people gathered together in Chicago to celebrate what the people have done. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to be an African-American tonight. Many thought this moment would never come.

Obama has described himself as a part of the Joshua generation refering to Moses' march to the Promised Land, which Moses never completed himself, leaving it to Joshua to bring God's people to the end of the journey. Martin Luther King Jnr on the day before he was assassinated in a speech said:

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.

And I don't mind.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

Martin Luther King Jnr did not make it. But I have the feeling that in some way, particularly for African-Americans but perhaps for all of us, we've taken a step closer to a better world tonight.

Now my prayers are with Barack Obama as he prepares for the biggest challenge of his life.

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Peter Johnston said:

	Yes we can On the Glenrothes by-election, I had to laugh last night while watching Newsnight Scotland to see Alex Salmond holding up a yellow sign emblazoned with "Yes we can". Everyone is trying to catch a bit of the Obama success. Will it translate to Fife?
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November 06, 2008
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Pauline said:

	... It's been fascinating to watch the process of electing a new president and I've been amazed by the interest worldwide. I follow a few US blogs and it's been fascinating to see comments from countries around the world all of whom are following the election with interest. Wonder if anyone will be talking about the by-election in Glenrothes in such an interested fashion?!
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November 06, 2008
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Peter Johnston said:

	Amen! I hit a wall around 10am this morning and had to go get a couple of hours nap! I'm not as young as I used to be... Brilliant to see you were up too!! The images of celebration across the world is wonderful to see. I suspect never has an election been more widely followed than this one we have all just witnessed.
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November 05, 2008
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Liz Crumlish said:

	Yaaay Can't possibly sleep now. Pass me some of that champagne. Must have been the Scottish support that tipped the balance!!!
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November 05, 2008 | url
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