Barack Obama and the Dawn of a New Progressive EraRandy Shawbyline‚ Nov. 05‚ 2008Barack Obama made history last night, delivering progressives our first transformative national election victory since 1964. As I predicted on November 3, Obama won the former red states of Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. Strong Latino support brought Obama easy victories in the latter three states, though the media continues to ignore this constituency’s impact on shifting U.S. politics to the left. All the pundits who insisted that Obama could not attract “white working class voters” should have eaten crow following Obama’s early victory calls in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as his win in Virginia and likely North Carolina. For those who endured Richard Nixon’s landmark political realignment in the 1968 election and Ronald Reagan’s equally painful 1980 victory, last night was our chance to experience the thrill of victory instead of the agony of defeat. But as Obama said in his victory speech, this election only creates the opportunity for change—activists must stay committed to ensure it happens. |