Obama's Victory

Obama's groundbreaking victory in the US presidential election mades many of us in Malaysia wonder whether the same sort of change would ever be countenanced here. His victory was splashed all over the front cover of our papers on Thursday.

I read an article that it was his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention that Americans in general were first introduced to the man who was destined to be their next President. It was The Speech that made him a rock star. In the article written by Pauline Arrillaga in The Star Two dated Nov 6, she wrote that in the speech Obama said, "My presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story ...and that, in no other country on Earth, is my story even possible." It was the speech that launched him.

He had those in the crowd on their feet, cheering wildly, even as many of them wondered: Who is this guy? A "skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too," he told them.

The rock star will be known the world over as Mr. President.

And the skinny kid will take his place in history, proving that unlikely as it may have all been - it was, indeed, possible.

Obama's victory is indeed a very inspiring thing to happen now as the world is facing with an imminent global economic downturn. It brings some optimism and glimmer of hope to many that things would not be that bad after all.

Congratulations, Mr. President and all the very best to you!