Nearly two years after announcing his candidacy, Senator Barack Obama has been elected as the 44th President of the United States. And, unlike years past, Obama's victory was clear-cut: the Senator won 349 electoral votes. He needed 270 to clinch the office.

Taking the state a bit after midnight last night in Chicago, Obama opened his acceptance speech with some of the most inspiring words ever uttered in our nation's history:

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.
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Its the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

The politico went on to declare that "change has come to America," before concluding:

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids. To restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace. To reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many we are one.

Obama's rival, Senator John McCain, offered an exceptionally gracious and teary concession speech. Though his supporters in Arizona booed at the mention of Obama's name, McCain urged them to rally behind their new president:

These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight that I will do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face. I urge all Americans who supported me to join not only in congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and honest effort to find the necessary compromises to bridge our difference.

Watching the results last night, we were in a bit of shock when Obama was announced the winner - had we done it? Had our nation really elected a black president? Yes. Sitting here, this morning, a bit hung over and exhausted, we're getting a bit misty as the reality set in - hundreds of years of oppression and racism were stomped. Surely division will continue to plague this great nation, but never before have the American ideals been as clear, vibrant and promising.

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We're positively pins and needles right now, readers!

In case you've been in a coma, millions of Americans today cast their ballots for their presidential pick. Obviously we don't know who's going to win, but we want to hear from you throughout the night - and you can be sure you'll be hearing from us!

So, readers - have at it!

8:10: Alright, some states are being projected. CNN's calling Tennessee, Kansas South Carolina and Kentucky are being called for McCain, as if that's a surprise. Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware and New Hampshire appear to be going to Obama. The tally's 77-to-34 electoral votes with Obama in the lead. The candidates need 270 to win… [MSNBC, meanwhile, puts Obama at 103 electoral votes....]

8:22: NBC and ABC are both reporting that Barack Obama won Pennsylvania, a key state - no wonder it's called the Keystone state! Boo-ya!

8:44: Okay, this isn't presidentially related, but Republican Elizabeth Dole lost to Kay Hagan in North Carolina. Ha!

9:24: Barack Obama has locked up Ohio, the Buckeye State. Our editor, who grew up in Cincinnati, is proud his homeland proved themselves to be more progressive than he remembers.

9:33: MSNBC is reporting that Obama took New Mexico, which, by the way, is our editor's family's new stomping ground. Coincidence? Totally.

10:23: MSNBC says Obama has 207 electoral votes, while McCain has 135…

11:01: Obama is the new president elect of the United States, says CNN. More once Mr. Obama addresses the nation…

Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly tried to fuel the dormant Democratic party's civil war today when she suggested Bill and Hillary Clinton were going to vote for John McCain.

Said Kelly as the Clintons went into their voting station:

Who do you think they're voting for? Seriously. It may not be Barack Obama if you believe a lot of theories. IT MAY BE JOHN MCCAIN! Their last hope that Hillary can come back four years from now and take over in the Oval Office.

Kelly colleague Bill Hemmer brought the conversation back down to earth, but that didn't stop Kelly from getting in one more shot: "I would love to be a little birdie over their shoulders, Bill and Hillary." She then let out some sort of "oh" shriek.

Sarah Palin delivered a prerecorded message during Saturday Night Live's "Presidential Bash" last night and, sadly, didn't quite deliver.

The Governor first attempted to joke about how the skit show made fun of her, then broke into a faux comedic threat that she would use her power to revoke NBC's broadcasting license. We would laugh if we didn't believe her.

John McCain also appeared and, yes, failed to bring a chuckle with his odd explanation of the network's programming, which trickled into some weak tax attack on Obama. We more confused than anything else. He seemed so, too.

Watch it - after the jump…

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If you've been watching or reading the news, you know that things don't look good for John McCain. Of course, anything can happen today and polls aren't to be believed, so who knows what's going to happen.

One thing's for sure - the Republican's campaign got a bit of good news today after a second investigation exonerated running mate Sarah Palin of any wrong doing in the "Troopergate" scandal:

This time, Gov. Sarah Palin can claim vindication against allegations that she abused her power in office by firing her public safety commissioner.

Palin - running mate of Republican presidential candidate John McCain - violated no ethics laws, according to a report released by the state personnel board on the eve of Election Day. An earlier, separate investigation by the Legislature found that Palin had abused her office.

"There is no probable cause to believe that the governor, or any other state official, violated the Alaska Executive Ethics Act in connection with these matters," the personnel board's report said.

Palin's attorney said the Governor's "grateful" for the board's findings. Obviously.

John McCain proved he has a sense of humor when he appeared on Saturday Night Live this weekend. Watch as the Republican pretends to be on QVC, the only channel he can afford, and sell his campaign. Tina Fey's Sarah Palin, meanwhile, sells her 2012 candidacy, or the possibility that she's going to be "the white Oprah."

Cindy McCain also appears and strokes "McCain's fine gold," as in the campaign reforming McCain-Feingold Act. Clever!

McCain also appeared during Weekend Update, during which he suggested some "last minute" tactics, like the "double maverick" and "sad old man:" "That's where I get on TV and go, 'C'mon, Obama's gonna have plenty of chances to be president! It's my turn! Vote for me!'"

Watch that, after the jump…

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John McCain may be a bit upset with Dick Cheney today.

Sure, the vice-president came out in support of McCain and running mate this weekend, telling the world he's "delighted" to back their candidacy, but that little sound byte has provided all sorts of fodder for Barack Obama's campaign, which has used Cheney's comment as the pivot point for a new attack ad on McCain's love for the Bush administration. The ad's called "Delighted." Ha!

Barack Obama's walking a fine, gay line.

The Democratic Presidential candidate appeared on MTV this weekend to come out against California's Proposition 8, which would overturn gay marriage in the Golden State. At the same time, however, Obama reiterated his belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Said the Senator from Illinois:

I've stated my opposition to this. I think [Prop 8 is] unnecessary. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that's not what America's about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don't contract them.

On a related note, the New York Times this Saturday ran an article highlighting the differences between Obama and rival John McCain's same-sex marriage opposition. While Obama's motivated more by religious elements, McCain's a victim of his time. Writes homo-journo Patrick Healy:

As a Christian — he is a member of the United Church of Christ — Mr. Obama believes that marriage is a sacred union, a blessing from God, and one that is intended for a man and a woman exclusively, according to these supporters and Obama campaign advisers. While he does not favor laws that ban same-sex marriage, and has said he is “open to the possibility” that his views may be “misguided,” he does not support it and is not inclined to fight for it, his advisers say.

Senator John McCain also opposes same-sex marriage, but unlike Mr. Obama’s, his position is influenced by generational and cultural experiences rather than a religious conviction, McCain advisers say.

What's interesting, we think, is that Obama consistently frames his support opposition of Proposition 8 in terms of constitutionality, rather than whether or not gay marriage is right - a tactic that's quite popular among the center and conservative set. That helps explain Obama's later comments in which he says he believes in strong civil unions that provide marital rights, like hospital visitations. That believe, he insists, provides a great example of his style of governance:

If they've got benefits, they can make sure those benefits apply to their partners. I think that's the direction we need to go in. I think young people are ahead of the curve on this for the most part. Their attitude, generally, is that we should be respectful of all people, and that's the kind of politics I want to practice.

Watch the MTV Prop 8 video after the jump…

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Even John McCain's best-pals aren't sure Sarah Palin's got the chops to be our nation's vice-president:

A former Republican Secretary of State and one of John McCain's most prominent supporters offered a stunningly frank and remarkably bleak assessment of Sarah Palin's capacity to handle the presidency should such a scenario arise.

Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, said on Thursday that the Alaska governor is not only unprepared to take over the job on a moment's notice but, even after some time in office, would only amount to an "adequate" commander in chief.

"And I devoutly hope that [she] would never be tested," he added for good measure — referring both to Palin's policy dexterity and the idea of McCain not making it through his time in office.

Eagleburger went on to suggest that Palin's readiness may be expanded should she and McCain win next Tuesday, although even that backtrack lacks enthusiasm, "Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be [pause] adequate. I can't say that she would be a genius in the job." Duh.

Terrorists are sooo complicated!

Last week some Al-Qaeda supporters came out to tell the world they have deep, passionate love for John McCain's presidential campaign. Then, today, one of the fundamentalist group's leaders came out against the Republicans.

O God, humiliate Bush and his party, O Lord of the Worlds, degrade and defy him," Abu Yahya al-Libi said at the end of sermon marking the Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr, in a video posted on the Internet.

Libi, one of the top al Qaeda commanders believed to be living in Afghanistan or Pakistan, called for God's wrath to be brought against Bush equating him with past tyrants in history.

We just don't know who to believe!

John McCain got dissed hard today when Joe The Plumber failed to show up for a rally in Ohio. Watch as poor McCain calls him out and realizes his talking point didn't make it. It's far more embarrassing than when he accidentally called his supporters racists.

Also, McCain had to bus in 4,000 kids to make his event look youthful and dynamic. Sad.

[via HuffPo]