Obama has been declared the 44th President of the United States ( Archived) (156)

Fallingman: The reformers — well, they believe a lot of things, but most of all they believe that the GOP is intellectually exhausted and has to chart a new path to remain politically viable. But where should the party go? There is no clear answer — especially because in many ways the Bush presidency was supposed to be the center-right evolution away from doctrinaire Reaganism. But at least this bunch is asking hard questions instead of retreating into a self-justifying revanchism. Unfortunately, if the Tory party's example is any indication of the GOP's future, it will be years before the reformers find their David Cameron.

Of course, nobody knows anything. Four years ago, we were all contemplating the possibility of Karl Rove's permanent Republican majority, and now look. History has both political parties by the napes of their necks, and its all either will be able to do simply to hang on for a rough ride. Obama will be restrained in pursuing an activist agenda by the lack of money and the lack of military. And nobody knows yet how bad the recession is going to be. Neither Obama nor McCain gave any indication that he understands the magnitude of the economic crisis overtaking America.

Still, if I were a betting man, I'd put money on a Barack Obama-Bobby Jindal match in 2012. If Obama is the Democrats' Reagan, then the Louisiana reform governor has the potential to be both the Republicans' Bill Clinton — in that he could revive a defeated and demoralized party — and its Barack Obama, in that he is young, brilliant and widely appealing. Besides, there simply aren't any other Republicans left standing today who could unite the GOP's shards after this epic smashing.

One last melancholy thought: The modern conservative movement began with the decisive loss of Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater in his 1964 presidential race. And it ends with the decisive loss in the 2008 presidential race of the Arizonan who holds Goldwater's Senate seat. But also a hopeful thought, certainly for Democrats, but maybe too for Republicans on down the line: If you had to pick a time and place when modern liberalism destroyed itself, it would be Chicago's Grant Park in 1968, in the riots accompanying the Democratic National Convention. That would be the same place where neoliberalism, of a sort, was reborn last night with Barack Obama's victory speech. The wheel of history keeps on turning.

Indyfella: Never underestimate the ability of the democrat party to form a circular firing squad.

cristina: My conclusion is...the majority of CSers voted for McCain...

I'm sorry for that. But, not much is lost is it?