Obama assembles White House team

Illinois congressman Rahm Emanuel (L) was an adviser to President Clinton

Barack Obama has started forming his administration by asking Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his chief-of-staff.

US President-elect Obama is next expected to appoint a treasury secretary to tackle the country's economic crisis.

He has until his inauguration on 20 January to select his senior officials.

Mr Obama was elected the first black US president on Tuesday with a resounding win over Republican rival John McCain.

Mr Obama's transition team is to be run by John Podesta, a former chief-of-staff to President Bill Clinton; Pete Rouse, who was Mr Obama's Senate chief-of-staff; and close friend Valerie Jarrett.

No briefings or announcements are expected on Thursday, but Mr Obama's staff said that he would address the media by the end of the week.

CIA briefings

Mr Emanuel is an Illinois congressman and tough Washington insider who has been strongly criticised by some Republicans for being too partisan, says the BBC's Jane O'Brien in Washington.

Although he has not formally accepted the job yet, if he does become chief-of-staff, he would be responsible for much of the internal management of the new administration.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT 9 Dec: Deadline for states to resolve issues such as recounts or challenges 15 Dec: Electoral college electors meet in each state to formally cast their votes 6 Jan: Joint session of Congress to count electoral college votes Before 20 Jan: Barack Obama and Joe Biden must resign from the Senate 20 Jan: Inauguration day Transition timetable Profile: Rahm Emanuel Democrats tighten Senate grip Senate races latest Send us your comments

But critics say his appointment could accentuate party divides, rather than heal them, as Mr Obama has pledged to do.

With the country in the throes of an economic slowdown and part of the global financial crisis, the post of treasury secretary will be a key post.

Likely contenders reportedly include former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and Timothy Geithner, the current head of the New York Federal Reserve.

Current Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has pledged to work with Mr Obama to ensure a smooth transition, and is said to have already set up desks and telephone lines at the department where Mr Obama's incoming team can work between now and the inauguration.

There has been speculation Mr Obama will ask Defence Secretary Robert Gates to remain in his post.

Mr Gates is broadly respected by both parties and would reflect a more bipartisan administration, our correspondent says.

With the business of preparing for government under way, Mr Obama will from Thursday start receiving the president's daily CIA briefings, which will include updates on covert operations.

In another sign of the changing of the guard, Michelle Obama spoke by telephone with First Lady Laura Bush, who invited her to visit the White House.

Mr Podesta was a key figure in the Clinton administration

Projected results from Tuesday's election have yet to be announced for the states of North Carolina and Missouri, which are believed to be too close to call.

But with most precincts tallied, Mr Obama's share of the popular vote stands at 52.4%, compared with Mr McCain's 46.3%.

Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented" in what many Americans said they felt was a historic election.

The entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats were also contested in Tuesday's elections.

The Democrats increased their Senate majority by five seats to 56, including two independents, but fell short of the 60 needed to stop blocking tactics by Republicans. A further four seats are too close to call.

The Democrats also increased their majority in the House of Representatives, gaining 19 seats to give a total 254, leaving the Republicans with 173.

Der weiß-schwarze Präsident

Von Andrea Böhm | © DIE ZEIT, 06.11.2008 Nr. 46

• Schlagworte:
• Barack Obama
• US Wahlkampf
• USA

Barack Obama vollendet den Traum von der Sklavenbefreiung. Und passt doch in kein Schema

Barack Obama: Der neue US-Präsident redet zu seinen Anhängern in Chicago

© Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Jene, die am längsten auf diesen Tag hingearbeitet haben, können es bis zum Schluss nicht glauben: Amerikas Veteranen der Bürgerrechtsbewegung mögen noch Stunden nach dem endgültigen Wahlergebnis nicht fassen, was sich ereignet hat. Ein junges schwarzes Ehepaar ist auf dem Weg ins Weiße Haus. Vom Alter her könnten es ihre Kinder sein – und in gewisser Hinsicht sind sie es auch.

Eine emotionale Wahl: Der teuerste US-Wahlkampf an seinem Höhepunkt

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Bildstrecke starten »

Barack Obama ist Jahrgang 1961, Michelle Obama wurde 1964 geboren. Man muss ein paar Bilder und Schlagzeilen aus diesen Jahren hervorziehen, um das Staunen der älteren Afroamerikaner zu verstehen. 1961 hat John F. Kennedy gerade sein Amt angetreten, in Alabama setzt ein weißer Mob einen Bus mit Bürgerrechtlern in Brand, die nur knapp dem Tod entkommen. In Mississippi berichten schwarze Demonstranten nach ihrer Freilassung aus dem berüchtigten Parchman-Gefängnis von Schlägen und Elektroschocks. 1964, im Geburtsjahr von Michelle Obama, erhält Martin Luther King jr. den Friedensnobelpreis, in Mississippi werden drei junge Bürgerrechtler vom Ku-Klux-Klan ermordet, in Washington unterzeichnet Präsident Lyndon B. Johnson gegen massiven Widerstand im Kongress den Civil Rights Act, das bis dahin schärfste Gesetz gegen rassische Diskriminierung. In den Schwarzen-Ghettos brechen die ersten Aufstände aus. In New York fragt eine Fotografin den Jazzmusiker Miles Davis nach seinen drei größten Wünschen. »To be white!«, antwortet er. »Weiß zu sein!«

All das liegt ein halbes Leben zurück. Nicht lange genug für die Altvorderen des Civil Rights Movement, von denen heute einige prominente Politiker sind. Viele von ihnen hatten während des Vorwahlkampfs Hillary Clinton unterstützt, weil ihnen die Vorstellung eines schwarzen Präsidenten einfach zu kühn, zu vermessen erschien. Ein Schwarzer im Amt eines Gouverneurs – ja, das war inzwischen möglich. Ebenso schwarze Mitglieder des Kabinetts, vielleicht sogar ein Vizepräsident mit dunkler Hautfarbe. Aber ein Präsident? Colin Powell, der als erster Afroamerikaner realistische Chancen auf einen Wahlsieg gehabt hätte, verwarf diese Idee 1996, weil seine Frau nach anonymen Drohungen um sein Leben fürchtete. In dreißig Jahren, dachte man, wäre das Land vielleicht reif. Doch plötzlich kam wie aus dem Nichts dieser schlaksige, junge Kerl mit dem Mandela-Lächeln und dem muslimischem Namen und drückte im Lauf der Geschichte auf die Vorspultaste.

Nun hat Amerika seinen ersten schwarzen Präsidenten, der in Wahrheit ein weiß-schwarzer Präsident ist. Und die Welt hat, zumindest für einen Moment, »ihr« Amerika zurück: Von George W. Bush zu Obama, vom Saulus zum Paulus, von der kriegstreibenden Supermacht zum Anführer des ökologischen Umbaus. Ob und wie Obama diese enormen Erwartungen erfüllen wird, daran mag man in den nächsten Monaten noch genug zweifeln. Zunächst einmal verschlägt einem die symbolische Wucht dieses Sieges den Atem.

Noch nie hat eine Präsidentschaftswahl in solch dramatischer Weise dem Mythos der Wiederauferstehung entsprochen, jenem uramerikanischen Glauben, wonach sich jeder, auch die eigene Nation, nach dem Sturz ins Bodenlose wieder aufrappeln und neu erfinden kann. Um es mit den eher prosaischen Worten der amerikanischen Fernsehkomikerin Sarah Silverman zu sagen: Amerika hat sich in nur einer Wahlnacht vom »asshole of the universe« in ein Land der Politikbegeisterten mit einem »Weltpräsidenten« verwandelt. Das ist die globale Wirkung dieses Wahlsiegs, die womöglich bald verpufft. Die inneramerikanische geht viel tiefer.

Die Sehnsucht nach dem Neuanfang hätte auch Hillary Clinton erfüllt – aber nur bis zu einem gewissen Punkt. Als erste Frau an der Spitze der USA wäre auch sie eine Sensation gewesen, aber keine weltpolitische Neuheit. Mächtige Regierungschefinnen hat es schon häufiger gegeben. Und die Emanzipation der Frauen ist keine spezifisch amerikanische Errungenschaft.

Obama wins, says 'change has come to America

WASHINGTON

: Barack Obama rode a wave of voter discontent to a historic White House victory, promising change as the first black U.S. president

Barack Obama with his wife and daughters in Chicago after he was elected 44th US president. (Reuters) More Pictures

but constrained by a deep economic crisis and two lingering wars. Obama led Democrats to a sweeping victory that expanded their majorities in both houses of Congress as voters emphatically rejected President George W. Bush's eight years of leadership.

The son of a Kenyan father and an American mother from Kansas, Obama was born at a time when black Americans were still battling segregationist policies in the South. His election triumph over Republican rival John McCain on Tuesday is a milestone that could help the United States bury its long and often brutal history of racism.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, at this defining moment, change has come to America," Obama, 47, told more than 200,000 ecstatic supporters gathered in Chicago's Grant Park to celebrate.

Raucous street celebrations erupted across the country, but Obama will have little or no time off to enjoy the victory. He was expected to start work on Wednesday on planning a course for his formal takeover on Jan. 20 and putting together a team to tackle the huge challenges at home and abroad.

Obama won at least 349 Electoral College votes, far more than the 270 he needed. With results in from more than three-quarters of U.S. precincts, he led McCain by 52 per cent to 47 per cent in the popular vote.

A first-term Illinois senator who will now be the 44th US president, Obama said he would work to ease the country's sharp political divisions and listen to those who voted against him. "The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there," he said.

McCain's hopes for a surprise win evaporated with losses in a string of key battleground states led by the big prizes of Ohio and Florida, the states that sent Democrats to defeat in the last two elections.

McCain, a 72-year-old Arizona senator and former Vietnam War prisoner, called Obama to congratulate him and praised his inspirational and precedent-shattering campaign. "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him but offering our next president our goodwill," McCain said.

Blacks and whites celebrated together in front of the White House to mark Obama's win and Bush's imminent departure. Cars jammed downtown Washington streets, with drivers honking their horns and leaning out their windows to cheer. Thousands more joined street celebrations in New York's Times Square and in cities and towns across the United States.

"This is the most significant political event of my generation," said Brett Schneider, 23, who was in the crowd for Obama's victory speech in Chicago. "This is a great night. This is an unbelievable night," said US Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, who was brutally beaten by police in Selma, Alabama, during a civil rights march in the 1960s.

Lewis was at a celebration in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the home church of Martin Luther King, who led the civil rights movement and was murdered in 1968. Rev. Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, joined the celebrations in Chicago on Tuesday night, tears streaming down his cheeks.

PROMISES
Obama will face intense pressure to deliver on his campaign promises. He has vowed to restore U.S. leadership in the world by working closely with foreign allies, to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq in the first 16 months of his term and to bolster U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan. But his immediate task will be tackling the U.S. financial crisis, the worst since the Great Depression. Obama has proposed another stimulus package that could cost about $175 billion and include funding for infrastructure and another round of rebate checks.

Most world leaders welcomed Obama's victory. Allied governments said they hoped for closer cooperation with Washington, while critics of the United States, ranging from officials in Russia and Iran to Islamist groups in the Middle East, called for clear changes in policy.

Obama took command of the election race in the last month as the financial crisis deepened and as his steady performance in three debates with McCain appeared to ease lingering doubts among voters.

His judgment on handling the economic crisis appeared to help tip the race in his favour. Exit polls showed six of every 10 voters listed the economy as the top issue. In addition to Ohio and Florida, Obama won Virginia, Iowa, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado — all states won by Bush in 2004. McCain's loss in Pennsylvania eliminated his best hope of capturing a Democratic-leaning state.

On the campaign trail, Obama had accused McCain of representing a third term for Bush's policies and being out of touch on the economy.

McCain attacked Obama as a tax-raising liberal and portrayed him as too inexperienced to run the country, but the Republican candidate struggled to distance himself from Bush. Exit polls showed three out of every four voters thought the United States was on the wrong track. In the fight for Congress, Democrats gained at least five Senate seats and about 25 more House of Representatives seats, giving them a commanding majority in both chambers.

Koreans welcome new U.S. leader

	Koreans welcome new U.S. leader
	Koreans hailed America for making history by choosing Barack Obama as its first black president. But expectations were mixed over the changes that the next U.S. leader would bring to the peninsula. Liberal-minded Koreans were highly hopeful that he will put an end to unilateralism in U.S. foreign policy and deliver sweeping reforms to unbridled Wall Street capitalism. They had more hope for peninsular peace from the Democratic administration, which prioritizes dialogue in dealing with North Korea. Government and ruling party officials are bracing for a likely shift in U.S. policies on Pyongyang and trade ties with Seoul. Conservative commentators expressed concern about progressive values that are being newly inspired by the liberal president-elect. Many Koreans yesterday sat glued to the TV and the internet watching votes coming in for the historic election. "Obama's ascendancy means not only a change of hands in the White House, but an end to decades of neo-liberalism and an epochal turn to a compassionate capitalism and a society where more diverse values are respected, " said Kim Kyung-hee, a 43-year-old IT businesswoman. Internet bulletin boards were deluged with messages congratulating Obama and Americans for, in a writer's words, "for beginning to rewrite their history." President Lee Myung-bak and political leaders welcomed Obama's election, expressing hopes for strengthening ties between the two allies. "President Lee Myung-bak sent a congratulatory message to both President-elect Obama and his running mate Joe Biden and expressed hope for further development of bilateral relations between Korea and the United States," Lee's spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said. "Obama's election victory is a result of the American people's support for new changes and hope," The spokesman noted that both Lee and Obama have pursued "change and reform" as their key political value. "With his election, we are sure that our future-oriented alliance will be further upgraded," he added. Policymakers expect no major changes in overall relations between the two countries. But Obama is expected to shift the course in dealing with North Korea and the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement. He has advocated "aggressive, sustained and direct diplomacy" with the North, even indicating his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il if conditions mature. Liberals welcomed his position as boosting hope for a peaceful end to the Pyongyang regime's nuclear ambition and reconciliation on the divided peninsula. "The election of Obama will provide President Lee an opportunity to break the ice with Pyongyang and restore inter-Korean dialogue," said Lim Dong-won, a main architect of former President Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine policy" for engaging the communist neighbor. Korea and the United States are facing a rough road ahead before putting their bilateral FTA in effect. Obama and his aides several times expressed skepticism toward the Korea-U.S. FTA, calling for a renegotiation to reduce damage to American carmakers. An Obama adviser said last week his new administration would submit the trade bill early next year, but with several preconditions, including a wider access by U.S. cars to the Korean market. The Seoul government yesterday reaffirmed that it was unwilling to redraft the deal which was reached in April 2007 and awaits ratification of legislature of both countries. "Part of the pact may not be good for one side, but the free trade deal is a balanced agreement which reflects the interests of both sides," Lee Hye-min, deputy minister for the FTA, told reporters. "It's the government's basic position that renegotiation is difficult," he said. "It not only goes against international customs but it's also inappropriate." Both ruling and opposition parties welcomed his election and moved quickly to try to build connections with U.S. Democrats. A group of legislators will fly to Washington from Nov. 17 to meet with aides of the next U.S. president to discuss pending issues between the two countries. Park Jin of the ruling Grand National Party will lead the parliamentary delegation. They will meet Democrats, including Biden and former Ambassador to Korea Donald Gregg, as well as Republican legislators. "We will try to convince them of the urgency of the Korea-U.S. FTA and discuss ways of improving relationship between the two countries under the new administration," a GNP official said. By Hwang Jang-jin (jjhwang@heraldm.com) 2008.11.06

'Change has come!' 'Change has come!'

Wed November 5, 2008

'Change has come'

Obama beats McCain

Barack Obama thumped John McCain in the Electoral College tally and handily won the popular vote, becoming the first African-American elected president of the United States. "Change has come to America," Obama told supporters.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama did more than thump Sen. John McCain in the Electoral College tally; he also handily won the popular vote and redrew the great divide between red states and blue states.

Sen. Barack Obama addresses a crowd of more than 200,000 at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.

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more photos »

Riding a Democratic tide that bolstered the party's presence in both houses of Congress, Obama snared about 62.4 million votes to McCain's 55.4 million, according to totals early Wednesday.

According to exit polls, Obama crushed McCain among women voters (56 percent to 43 percent); voters under 30 (66 percent to 32 percent); African-American voters (95 percent to 4 percent); Latino voters (66 percent to 32 percent); first-time voters (68 percent to 31 percent); and voters making less than $100,000 a year (55 percent to 43 percent).

"I think this is the passing of an old order," CNN senior political analyst David Gergen said as the results rolled in Tuesday night and the outcome became increasingly evident.

"I think what we see ... is a new coalition, a new order emerging. It isn't quite there, but with Barack Obama, for the first time, it's won. It is the Latino vote we just heard about. It is the bigger black vote that came out. Very importantly, it's the youth vote, the 18-to-29-year-old," said the Harvard University professor and former presidential adviser. Watch Obama pay tribute to McCain »

Early voting totals in the East suggested things would go traditionally, with McCain taking most of the Southeast, Obama most of the Northeast.

But then things quickly changed, as the senator from Illinois struck -- first in Pennsylvania and then in the Midwest state of Ohio, states McCain had to win in his bid for the Oval Office. Obama then delivered an uppercut in Virginia, a state that had not voted for a Democratic president since 1964. See your state's county-by-county totals

Don't Miss

• Read Obama's victory speech
• Read McCain's speech
• Democrats pick up Senate seats
• House Republicans lose seats
• Complete video coverage

As polls closed from East to West, Obama kept hammering McCain, as he snatched away Iowa, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada -- states that had been in President Bush's column in 2004. (Missouri, Indiana and North Carolina were still counting votes early Wednesday, but it appeared one or two of them could become blue-state converts as well.)

With McCain on the ropes, an Obama victory in Florida sounded the death knell. As the sun rose Wednesday, Obama had an insurmountable 338-163 lead over his rival in electoral votes, with only 37 undecided.

Obama told supporters Tuesday night that "change has come to America" as he claimed victory in a historic presidential election.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said in Chicago before an estimated crowd of up to 240,000 people.

With Obama's win, he becomes the first African-American to win the White House.

McCain pledged Tuesday night to help Obama lead. Watch more on the balance of power »

"Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant," McCain said.

The senator from Arizona called Obama to congratulate him, and Obama told him that he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together.

Bush also called Obama to offer his congratulations.

The president told Obama he was about to begin one of the great journeys of his life, and invited him to the White House as soon as it could be arranged, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Obama will be working with a heavily Democratic Congress. Democrats picked up Senate seats in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, among others. Read about the Senate races

"While the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress," Obama said.

Flanked by American flags, Obama told the roaring crowd, "This is your victory."

"To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too," he said. Watch Obama tell voters "all things are possible" »

Supporters in Chicago cheering, "Yes, we can," were met with cries of "Yes, we did."

More than 1,000 people gathered outside the White House, chanting "Obama, Obama!"

Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's former rival for the Democratic nomination, said in a statement that "we are celebrating an historic victory for the American people." iReport.com: Share your Election Day reaction with CNN

"This was a long and hard fought campaign, but the result was well worth the wait. Together, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and a Democratic Congress, we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world."

Sen. Edward Kennedy said Americans "spoke loud and clear" in electing Obama.

"They understood his vision of a fairer and more just America and embraced it. They heard his call for a new generation of Americans to participate in government and were inspired. They believed that change is possible and voted to be part of America's future," the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement.

Voters expressed excitement and pride in their country after casting their ballots in the historic election. Poll workers reported high turnout across many parts of the country, and some voters waited hours to cast their ballots. Read about election problems

Tuesday marks the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. history -- 21 months.

Obama, 47, will begin his transition to the White House. He will be sworn in as the 44th president on January 20.

The Garden

For the garden of your daily living Plant three rows of peas:

1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of soul
3. Peace of heart

Plant four rows of squash:

1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:

1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

No garden is complete without turnips:

1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for protesting injustice
3. Turnip to help one another

And in our garden we must have enough thyme:

1. Thyme for each other
   
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow -----Marguerite Theophile


Gardening is a wonderful, restorative activity. Being in touch with Mother Earthis a wonderful way to preserve your mental health-----Thich Nhat Hanh

Passing Away of Uncle Shammi Nanda

Shammi Nanda passed away on the 28'th of October it was an auspicious day Diwali as per the Hindu Calender and it was Arjun Krishan Nanda's Birthday too.
In grife

• Arti Nanda Wife
• Arjun Krishan Nanda Son
• Sachin Nanda Son
• Preeti Daughter In - Law
• Kretti Daughter In - Law
• And Grand Children
• All Relatives, Friends and all who came in contact with Uncle...

We all pray that his Soul attains Peace
Hari Om Tat Sat!














Jageshwar Dham















Shammi Nanda Ji and Family 1999
















Flowers in the higher altitudes


Krishan Bhagwan Ji's Murti Decorated on Janamastami at Sivanada Ashram Rishikesh 2008









Krishan and Balram Iskon Brindavana

My Girl!

song: My Girl (December, 1964) artist: Temptations I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside I've got the month of May. I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way? My girl (my girl, my girl) Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl). I've got so much honey the bees envy me. I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees. I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way? [ Find more Lyrics at www.mp3lyrics.org/gQ1 ] My girl (my girl, my girl) Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl). Hey hey hey Hey hey hey Ooooh. I don't need no money, fortune, or fame. I've got all the riches baby one man can claim. I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way? My girl (my girl, my girl) Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl). I've got sunshine on a cloudy day with my girl. I've even got the month of May with my girl (fade)

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Nanda = Anand Re arrangement of letters LOL We are One

Arjun Bhai's visit this Sept '08 to Indo with family!

Althea's Children

London England Tiny Tot's Althea's Babie's and the biggest is the real biggie the teddy LOL! Mark