Ta-Nehisi Coates in The Atlantic with “Hippies Wander Into The Lions’ Den, Maul Lions” on what the full election results mean.
That president is the pivotal figure in what must be one of the most progressive nights in American history, and arguably the most progressive night in American history in some 40 years.
I am not sure what more to make of this. I would not say that the battle is over, but that some monster of American history, some wraith, some awful Power went into battle last night, and is presently limping away mortally wounded. The beast-handlers know this. I think it’s broadcast in Bill O’Reilly’s open racism, in Karl Rove’s flight into lunacy. It is slowly dawning on them: This isn’t 1968. The hippies are punching back.
And David Simon with “Barack Obama And The Death Of Normal” at The Audacity of Despair.
Hard times are still to come for all of us. Rear guard actions will be fought at every political crossroad. But make no mistake: Change is a motherfucker when you run from it. And right now, the conservative movement in America is fleeing from dramatic change that is certain and immutable. A man of color is president for the second time, and this happened despite a struggling economic climate and a national spirit of general discontent. He has been returned to office over the specific objections of the mass of white men. He has instead been re-elected by women, by people of color, by homosexuals, by people of varying religions or no religion whatsoever. Behold the New Jerusalem. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a white man, of course. There’s nothing wrong with being anything. That’s the point.
This election marks a moment in which the racial and social hierarchy of America is upended forever. No longer will it mean more politically to be a white male than to be anything else. Evolve, or don’t. Swallow your resentments, or don’t. But the votes are going to be counted, more of them with each election
blue milk 
I was proud to vote for Obama for the second time, and I’m always curious how those in other countries viewed our election. I’m so relieved that he won and that common sense and decency prevailed over hate, misogyny and racism.
my side of town was like a giant festive barbecue on election day 2008; this year, because we also defeated an anti-gay-marriage amendment, it was like a giant festive barbecue with added rainbow flags. Everywhere. And people are still ridiculously happy. A house near our park taped notes that just say “THANK YOU” over all the Vote No signs.