“Unyielding hope”

Senator John McCain delivered a most gracious, humble and elegant speech characteristic of his noble honor in service to America. The pundits will parse it perhaps. But upon its delivery, it stirred the soul. It was a moment of grace.

And then…

Here in Chicago, ‘city of neighborhoods’, world-class city with a small, hometown feel, the masses were gathered to hear the victory speech of the hometown candidate who is now the next leader of the free world.

President-elect Barack Obama’s speech in Chicago’s Grant Park, at the peak of victory on this historic night, was to my ear the most human, humble and personal appeal the candidate has made to date.

He was aware of the awe of the moment, and the responsibility. I didn’t take notes….I took it in. Transcripts are easy enough to find afterward. Here’s one, and here are a few lines that resonated…

The opening reference to the Founders:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

Paying deference to our Founders was important. Very good start.

And he said what struck me at the end of this election day, when everyone was so wrung out and wrapped up in its conclusion.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

This was transformative I think, more than his stump speeches. He seemed to appreciate this moment and the history at once, and more than any other prepared text, this time the first African-American president-elect reached deep to say “I know what we need, I know some of you doubt me, I want you to believe and help me.”

This struck me as most resonant:

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends, though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.