EDITORIAL: An American achievement

By | Friday, August 29, 2008

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"My story is only possible in the United States of America." Indeed, yesterday he accepted the Democratic Party's nomination and made history: the first African American in the United States to mount the pinnacle of a major political party in the race for the presidency. All Americans, regardless of political positions, can be proud of our remarkable progress.

Mr. Obama's story is the American dream. He came from humble beginnings: He is the son of a white Kansas mother and a Kenyan father, who abandoned the family when he was 2 years old; he was raised by a single mother who was obliged to rely on her parents for assistance. And yet, Mr. Obama pulled himself up. Through hard work, determination, commitment - and with outstanding talent and intelligence - he obtained an Ivy League education, a law degree, worked as a community organizer, was elected to the Illinois Senate, and then to the U.S. Senate.

Mr. Obama created the family he did not have - and became the father he dreamed of.

The Illinois senator is more than articulate; he is among the most eloquent men of his time. He penned two books that have become best-sellers and his message has touched millions of people, at home and abroad. This "phenomenon" stopped the Democratic heir-apparent in her tracks. Mr. Obama outmaneuvered the more experienced Hillary Clinton: He crafted an appealing message of unity, hope and change; he drew thousands of new voters into the Democratic fold, redefined the electoral map, out-raised and out-planned his opponents. Even Mrs. Clinton's tears of frustration and disbelief failed to halt the Obama juggernaut.

Mr. Obama has achieved what no other African American has in the long, sometimes tortured history of this nation. He is a success story, an American hero and a global beacon. Indeed, he has demonstrated that in America, anyone can climb as high as they dare to imagine.

Congratulations, Mr. Obama. Congratulations, America.

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