Oh my God. It’s real.
By
It was really, really great to hear the election called for Barack Obama by Jon Stewart. It was amazing, when it hit me, that it was finally real. And I got to hear it from Jon.
Life is good. I’m a little teary right now. President Barack Obama – It’s real. It’s really real.
EDITED TO ADD: Ms I, here, and I couldn’t agree more. Hearing Jon actually say those words at the end of the show … lovely. And Stephen deliberately set it up for Jon to make the announcement, according to this piece from the New York Times:
Stephen Colbert said he extended a riff until the election was called. “I had a TV set on the desk,” Mr. Colbert said. “I could see what was happening so I thought, ‘I’ll just vamp until 11 o’clock.’ The Hawaiian speech I was doing was supposed to go on for another three minutes. We knew that if we could stretch the show till 11 o’clock, Jon would have a chance to be able to say that Barack Obama is the president; he was looking at the screen just waiting for CNN to call it.”
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42 Comments
November 5th, 2008 at 12:31 am
yes, we did
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:35 am
I honestly didn’t know of that result before Jon said it even though I was refreshing a thing on google news. so I too got the final result right from the mouth (via my TV) of Jon Stewart! that is so perfect–it makes me smile.
I am so excited to see what Obama does when he’s President! I can’t wait!!
(grrr, my local elections are NOT going the way I would have prefered. not that I even live there most of the time but still!)
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:39 am
YES!! I feel like I’ve been on pins and needles for the past … I don’t know how long, but now I can finally breathe again.
I couldn’t be happier about the idea of a new era for the country. That sort of optimism … I’m not used to it, but it’s intoxicating.
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:39 am
It was truly a wonderful moment.
YES-WE-CAN!
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:42 am
I cried bitter tears in 2004. I am crying again, but for a wholly different reason. I don’t know when I’ve ever been happier to be an American.
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:44 am
It still hasn’t sunk in for me that he won!
I was so excited that Jon was able to announce it on the show!!!!
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Well done America, you done good! lol, I haven’t seen the live election show yet :-( Can’t wait to download it when a torrent is available! I saw a bit of live streaming and Stephen had a bird on his shoulder….
ah man its nearly 5am, I neeeeed sleep
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:52 am
I’m just crying, crying, crying; I’m overcome with happiness. The era of Bush politics is over – praise be to God! I knew it would be Barack after Pennsylvania was called but Jon was the one who called it officially for me, and it was very special. I hope we all live up to the hope and promise I feel in this moment. This is just the beginning. Let’s get out there and rebuild America. Love to you all.
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:57 am
As a Canadian, let me say: we approve. And congrats to Jon, Stephen and the entire team.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I would like to back my fellow Canadian’s remarks: congratulations USA!
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:59 am
What an amazing night. The fact that I was able to hear from Jon Stewart that Obama was the next president of the united states? It was amazing.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:01 am
I am so keyed up right now.
Eeeeeeeeeee! :D
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:06 am
IT IS REAL. AHHHH.
I had my CNN page up. I’d just refreshed it seconds before Jon announced it. I saw the check mark by Obama’s name. I saw that he had over 270 electoral votes. My heart stopped. I was in complete disbelief. And then Jon said it, and it hit me. OBAMA. PRESIDENT.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:20 am
WOOOO!!! What’s up Zoners!
I’ve never in my entire life been this proud to be an American. WE DID IT! YES!!!!
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hearing the news from Jon was the greatest gift the universe has bestowed on us loyal TDS/TCR peeps. Absolutely beautiful.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who is crying happily, nor was I the only one who first heard the news from Jon Stewart. I was chatting with a friend from Canada at the time, so in a sense, he too heard it from Jon.
I can’t believe it. I’m so incredibly happy. And I feel the tears coming again.
EPIC WIN!
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:38 am
Holy moly, my red home state of Indiana could actually turn blue! Never, ever did I EVER think I would see this happen. Damn did America get mavericky tonight! Congratuations USA!
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Now I can take that Canadian flag off my backpack… :)
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:43 am
I SOBBED with happiness during Obama’s speech. After hours upon hours of swearing at my tv, I sobbed.
YES WE CAN.
(Though my state, at last check, is STILL “too close to call”. Silly NC. But my county/district went for Obama. So WOO!)
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November 5th, 2008 at 2:00 am
I cried during his speech, too!
I was thrilled to hear Jon announce the results from my state, VA.
I am so keyed up, I have no idea how I will get to sleep tonight.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:51 am
WOOT! I’m so happy and keyed up right now I can’t sleep! And watching Jon call it, live, was just icing on the cake.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Caitlin, I so totally agree
“Hearing the news from Jon was the greatest gift the universe has bestowed on us loyal TDS/TCR peeps. Absolutely beautiful.
I had a small moment of disbelief when I heard it from Jon so I turned on CNN! And it was true! I love the Indecision2008 team. I loved hearing it from Jon and Stephen first! I saw a lot of people crying. I don’t cry. I just bounce around like a crazy lady. This is truly HISTORICAL!!!!!! Now I CAN’T WAIT to see how Jon and Stephen react tomorrow! Now I need to calm down and get some sleep!
Obabma is PRESIDENT 2008!!!!
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:55 am
When I heard it, I quickly went to CNN.com, and saw it was real. Whoa.
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November 5th, 2008 at 2:06 am
at first I thought he was just calling it to wrap up the show, like I would have “called” it earlier in the evening based on the rather wide lead, so I had to rush to confirm it online.
there is not one person on television I’d have rather heard the good news from!
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
As soon as Jon made the announcement, I also switched over to CNN to confirm the news. I’m proud to say that I heard the news from Jon Stewart – I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m going to remember that look on Jon’s face for a long time. After watching the reaction shots on CNN, I started to cry. We knew what the result was going to be, but it still seemed unreal. It was truly a historic night.
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November 5th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Wow, just wow. And to hear it first from Jon. Perfect.
Ok America….exhale.
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November 5th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Well, I didn’t get to hear it from Jon, but the next best thing – I got it straight from NFZ!
I fell asleep watching CNN.com (an ex-pat’s friend at times like these) woke up, and started my round of website visits with NFZ. So thanks for the good news – now we just have to wait to get to see the show! (I hope CC posts the whole thing soon).
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November 5th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Congratulations, y’all!!!
Better days ahead. :D
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November 5th, 2008 at 3:01 am
I’m 54 and have been through quite a few elections, none better than this one! A new direction for our country, a President we can believe in, and my husband and I heard it from Jon.
We toasted it with champagne and Americone Dream. What a relief!
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November 5th, 2008 at 3:12 am
I cried waking up this Election Morning because the outcome was so important and I just couldn’t imagine what tonight would bring. I cried tonight for completely different reasons. It was so perfect to hear the news from Jon, given how important the shows have been to sustaining my sanity over the past two years.
And how extra-sweet that Stephen helped it happen — thanks for sharing that news with us, NFZ!
“President-elect Barack Obama” — I cannot hear that often enough. It’s like a miracle, every time.
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November 5th, 2008 at 3:16 am
I am afraid I will wake up next morning and find out it was all a dream…
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November 5th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Did anyone else notice how Stephen took off his glasses when he shut down but had them on when they all went to the roof? Kind of amusing…
Anyway, this was glorious. Can’t wait till tomorrow night’s TCR. :)
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November 5th, 2008 at 3:51 am
I will never forget the moment when I found out Barack Obama was declared president elect. I am proud of the fact that I heard it from Jon Stewart, the most honest newsman out there.
I nearly cried when I listened to Obama’s acceptance speech. That has never happened to me before. The last eight years…those dark, dark years…are finally at their end.
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November 5th, 2008 at 5:43 am
I’m from Brazil and I have to say: Congratulations USA, and most of all THANK YOU!!!
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November 5th, 2008 at 7:00 am
What an amazing night. The moment Jon announced Barack Obama as the president elect, I heard cheers and screaming all through my apartment complex. A sense of community in LA is such a rare thing, but it happened tonight.
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November 5th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Well done, Americans, well done!
a grateful European.
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November 5th, 2008 at 11:13 am
You’re welcome!
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November 5th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I am very happy to say I heard the news for Jon Stewart. This is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life. I have to keep telling myself, ‘This has really happened! He really won!’ My family and I were in all tears over Obama’s speech!
Thank you all at The Daily Show and The Colbert Report for your brilliant work!
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November 5th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Like everyone else, I could not have asked for a better gift than to hear Jon Stewart announce that Barack Obama was the next President of the United States. Jon deserved that honor and based on what I saw, the streets of Chicago cheered with him (and are still cheering this morning).
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November 5th, 2008 at 11:22 am
just caught the show this morning (was too busy rioting in the streets of philly last night). amazing.
i am very partial towards the Wilmore/Cenac segment
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November 5th, 2008 at 11:32 am
That segment was absolutely beautiful. I also thought the 2 guests were really on a roll as well.
captcha: cheers cent.
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November 9th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
[...] Typing this recap, five days later, I still can’t believe it’s true: Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States of America. [...]