We are witnesses to history on a huge scale

Historic change. Those two words describe Tuesday's presidential election. Barack Obama, born at a time when many African-Americans were systematically denied the right to vote, will be this nation's first African-American president. The magnitude of that achievement is breath-taking. Obama, the first-term senator with the audacity to hope that he could compete against more experienced, better-known, better-connected politicians has achieved a small miracle.

He did it by out-organizing and out-fund-raising his opponents. And he did it by inspiring voters young and old with his soaring rhetoric and his consistent promise of "change." His campaign was historic not only because of his racial background but also because of his great skill in creating a new kind of campaign, one based on grassroots organizing, Internet connectiveness, encompassing strategy and diligent hard work.

The importance and ramifications of electing the first African-American president are difficult to comprehend. Obama immediately displaces all the self-appointed black leaders of this nation who have made careers of jumping in front of television cameras whenever and wherever racial tensions flared. President Obama will be the spokesman for black America, but he will also be the spokesman for white America and red America and yellow America. He will be a visible example of this country's progress. Just a generation after legal barriers to civil rights were rescinded, America has elected an African-American to the nation's highest office. That is a breath-taking achievement that should inspire all Americans to renew their faith in this nation's founding principles. Our first black president should also inspire friends and adversaries around the world, proving that despite America's occasional errors and missteps, this country truly remains the last best hope of mankind.

Obama will take office at what is perhaps the country's most trying time since 1933. His electoral vote margin and his party's capture of so many additional congressional seats will pressure him to provide bold, decisive leadership, and he must be cautious not to over-reach. Although his electoral vote margin is wide, the popular vote was close, and he will need to lead from the center, appealing to and inspiring all Americans. The ongoing economic crisis will limit his options in other areas. America cannot continue to overspend and increase its debt, which already approaches $10 trillion. It cannot let down its guard against the forces of Islamic radicalism, which has sworn to destroy us. And it cannot allow the gap between rich and poor to continue to widen, contradicting America's assurances of opportunity and equality.

Obama first won the nation's attention with a speech that promised an end to partisanship and a vow to unite all Americans. He must make those promises foremost as he tackles the specific problems that lie before him.

John McCain fell short of his dream Tuesday, but he gave an unusually gracious concession speech and promised to work with the Obama administration. McCain and other pragmatists like him can be a key to Obama's success. Republicans must resist the temptation to begin gearing up now for the next election fight, and Democrats must avoid the pitfall of celebrating their majorities by shoving partisan legislation and policies down America's throat.

This historic election will be even more historic if Democrats and Republicans can put partisanship aside for long enough to address America's most serious problems.