Morning Brief: Hope triumphs over experience
Top Story Voters elected Illinois Sen. Barack Hussein Obama the 44th president of the United States and the country’s first African-American president amid record-shattering turnout. Speaking before a sea of elated supporters in Chicago’s Grant Park, Obama declared that “change has come to America” after his win over Sen. John McCain of Arizona. McCain, in ...
Top Story
Top Story
Voters elected Illinois Sen. Barack Hussein Obama the 44th president of the United States and the country’s first African-American president amid record-shattering turnout.
Speaking before a sea of elated supporters in Chicago’s Grant Park, Obama declared that “change has come to America” after his win over Sen. John McCain of Arizona. McCain, in a gracious concession speech, pledged to “do all in my power” to help his erstwhile rival succeed.
George W. Bush, who is still in charge until Jan. 20, congratulated the president-elect on his “awesome night” and promised to “make this a smooth transition.” FP spoke with veteran Washington insider Kenneth Duberstein this week about what Obama needs to do during the 77 days ahead.
As of this morning, Obama had amassed a projected 338 electoral votes, far above the 270 needed to win. Democrats increased their total seats to 251 in the House of Representatives, but appear to have fallen short of obtaining a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
More than 60 percent of voters said the economy was their top issue. More exit poll analysis here.
Early rumor has it Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel has been offered the chief of staff position and is “agonizing” over whether to accept the job. Find out who foreign-policy experts think should be named to other top positions here.
Economy
Wall Street rallied Tuesday despite the release of discouraging manufacturing data. But European stocks fell back in Wednesday trading.
Americas
Colombia’s top Army general has resigned over a scandal involving shooting civilians to inflate body counts in the country’s drug war.
Mexico’s interior minister was killed in a plane crash. Were drug cartels involved?
Asia
Taiwan liberalized trade with China despite protests by native Taiwanese.
China is putting together a “national action plan” for human rights.
An economic slowdown could threaten China’s stability, premier Wen Jiabao has warned.
Notorious warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is emerging as a key swing player in Afghan politics.
Middle East and Africa
Kenya’s president declared a national holiday after Obama’s victory.
Rebels in Congo have resumed fighting with a pro-government militia north of the city of Goma.
Hamas fired rockets into Israel following an Israeli raid in Gaza.
Europe
Russia announced it is moving new missiles to the Baltic region.
A son of Osama bin Laden is asking for asylum in Spain.
Romania is in dire economic straits.
Europe is not impressed with France’s plan to tackle the financial crisis.
Today’s Agenda
It’s Guy Fawkes day in Britain.
A cease-fire agreement is slated to go into effect in Somalia.
Condoleezza Rice embarks for the Middle East amid rumors that the U.S. secretary of state is a candidate for president… of the San Francisco 49ers.
Photo: Anthony Jacobs/Getty Images
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