Obama made history, but Tuesday’s election was only the beginning

There are moments in history that redefine a nation, and this is one of those moments.

Barack Obama did not deserve to be elected president of the United States because he is a black man, and he wasn’t. More importantly — for the nation as much as for Obama — he did not deserve to lose the election because he is a black man, and he didn’t.

He was judged not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. And, of course, he was the beneficiary of a political climate on Election Day that worked against almost all things Republican.

And the cause of that climate can be captured in two words: the economy.

The economy trumped security issues. It trumped questions about experience. It trumped all the ugly slander that circulated primarily on the Internet. It propelled a 47-year-old senator from Illinois who was virtually unknown to most of the country before he gave a speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention over the experience, the stature and compelling personal story of the Republican nominee, John McCain.

As this was being written Tuesday night, Obama’s supporters were literally shouting with joy. But there will be very little time for celebration.

The promise of change

Obama was elected on a promise of change and on his personal assets, which we summarized when we endorsed him as his youth, energy, education and flexibility. He will need all those attributes and more as he charts a course through the hazards he has inherited: domestic and international financial markets that are in upheaval, a deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the nation’s on-going military commitment to Iraq, health care challenges, educational deficiencies and trade and budget deficits.

Addressing these challenges will not only require Obama’s focus and dedication, it will require the support of a nation. While the Democrats made impressive gains in Congress Tuesday, we remain convinced that this is at its heart very much a bipartisan nation. The Democrats cannot do what needs to be done alone.

In a concession speech that was both moving and inspiring, McCain pledged to do everything in his power to help the incoming president and called on his supporters to work toward compromises that will assure prosperity and security for generations to come.

For the nation’s sake, let’s hope that such sentiments expressed by both Democrats and Republicans rise above rhetoric and become reality.

Closer to home

And now, in the spirit of former House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, who said, “all politics is local,” let us say a few words about a more parochial concern.

The economic challenges confronting the next president are reflected in two announcements Monday that suggest the United States has entered a recession that may be deep and prolonged.

First, the Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index fell to 38.9, the lowest reading since September 1982. Any reading below 50 signals an economic contraction.

Then, automakers revealed their sales fell in October in what may be the worst drop in 25 years.

President Obama will not have the luxury of time to deal with these economic challenges. We believe that one of his first acts after taking the oath of office should be to announce the appointment of a manufacturing tzar —someone who does not need a learning curve.

Knowing cars would help

Given General Motors’ importance to the Mahoning Valley with the Lordstown assembly plant, we think this individual must have a deep understanding of the nation’s domestic auto industry.

This is especially important given that Congress has earmarked $25 billion in loan guarantees for GM, Ford and Chrysler to update their factories to accommodate the production of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.

Indeed, there should be a string attached to the loan guarantees. In return for the federal government’s involvement in the auto industry, the Big Three must pledge not to put future production plans on hold.

Our concern is promoted by what GM has in store for Lordstown plant. The company announced this summer that the top-selling Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5, which are built in the Valley, will be replaced by the Chevrolet Cruze. But GM has also said the Cruze will be built in Europe.

We want to make sure that the new president clearly understands this nation cannot lose another major product to a plant overseas.

In addition to autos, the steel industry is being battered by the economic downturn. Steelmaker ArcelorMittal this week idled its Cleveland plant, which has 1,450 union employees.

America has take a giant step forward in the election of Barack Obama.

Now, he must take a look back at what helped propel America to the heights it reached: a thriving middle class that produced products for America and for the world.

It was middle America that made Obama what he is today; he must return the favor.