Our View: What's next for Obama, nation

Barack Obama's victory Tuesday might seem almost anti-climatic, as political poll upon poll showed that weeks of troubling economic news had turned a majority of voters firmly to the Illinois senator's camp. But everyone should pause to cherish this historic moment when America broke another shackle from her past - and we should celebrate the unbridled faith that U.S. voters have in the potential of brighter days yet ahead.

Obama's promise of change overcame questions about his experience and lingering rumors from the wildest racist fantasies. As a result, Obama will be the next president of the United States. This son of Hawaii and of Kansas and of Chicago has propelled the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. to another apex that should fill the heart of every American with pride.

As for John McCain, the Arizona senator fell victim to a campaign mentality that looked to the past when voters wanted a leader who embraces the future. Once, McCain was an independent mind who endorsed the true conservative values of limited government spending and broad civil liberties. But he made the mistake of seeking to tread in George W. Bush's footsteps from 2000 and 2004. McCain's campaign in the final weeks preached fear and division, and exposed a willingness to embrace people and ideas he previously had scorned as illogical, intolerant or foolhardy.

American voters rejected such political ambiguity in a rather sweeping fashion. In fact, Obama likely will argue that he and his fellow Democrats have received a mandate from the people. Certainly, Republicans find themselves to part of a true minority party for the first time in 15 years.

However, Obama would serve his country well by avoiding an arrogant assumption of power. The best way for Obama to accomplish this would be to openly proclaim that his administration will be guided by the core values and principles that have enabled this republic to flourish for more than two centuries. Obama should enter the presidency with the plain words of the U.S. Constitution foremost on his mind. Every proposal and practice should viewed through the prism of the Ten Commandments. And every interaction with the American people, as well as with other nations, should be based on the tenet of the Golden Rule.

Tomorrow or next week, we as a nation can start assessing Obama's agenda as the president-elect. Today, we will simply marvel at this latest link in a chain of human progress and civil tranquility unrivaled by any other country in the world.