News Analysis: November 5, 2008
Our next president and commander in chief, Barack Obama, wins an historic election. Setting a record, more than 130 million Americans voted. In a gracious concession speech, Sen. John McCain urges the country to rally around Obama. Even in the Middle East, “everyone” is with Obama. The win is already helping to give a battered U.S. brand a lift around the world. The Pentagon has a plan for a smooth transition.
Yet the world remains a dangerous place, no matter the size of the post-election celebration here at home. Russia is moving to counter U.S. missile defense plans; Iran is issuing more warnings; Afghanistan is infuriated by its civilian casualties; and no one in Iraq is holding their breath for immediate change. President-elect Obama has inherited one of the most challenging situations in generations, with our troops engaged in two wars and the strains piling up on our military, military families and our communities - not to mention a financial mess potentially trillions of dollars deep. Obama acknowledged these challenges in his stirring victory speech last night. He will be sworn into office on January 20, 2009.
A 92-year-old Marine and World War II veteran voted yesterday aboard an ambulance. Sixty-eight years after casting her first ballot, for a Republican, Betty Owen voted for Barack Obama.
With Senator Joe Biden now Vice President-Elect Biden, his senate seat is about to come open. Biden’s son Beau, the state attorney general, is considered the leading contender to fill the seat — but he is about to deploy to Iraq with his National Guard unit, raising some confusion about what will actually happen in Delaware.
Testing has begun on a drug to help treat post-traumatic stress. The study is funded in part by $1.4 million from the Pentagon. A new book aims to help heal the invisible wounds of war. For one veteran, closure comes after four decades of pain.
At Fort Campbell, a cruel hoaxer is calling military families and falsely claiming their loved ones have been killed overseas. “This outrageous conduct must not stand.”
More pay for servicemembers wounded during service in the global war on terror.