How is it that so many politician's best speeches are their concession speeches? Gore, Kerry, and now McCain gave their most heartfelt and moving speeches after their dreams for the White House had come to an end.

That was the McCain that held such appeal to so many independents back in 2000. It took the duration of this election battle, but McCain finally found grace in defeat at the end.

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The youth vote? A record turnout. One of the few sad moments for me this night was realizing I'm not considered part of the youth vote anymore. But I am grateful towards the 18-29ers tonight. That was the only age segment in which Obama won a majority of the white vote.

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Sarah, you get back up there and, uh, keep an eye on Putin.

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Obama gave his speech in Chicago behind giant panes of bulletproof glass. I confess, it was reassuring to see those in place.

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Hey Joe. Here's a plunger. Get back to work.

Oh, and some of those toilets? You clogged them with all your crap.

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If you consider America as a brand, then in one day it has improved its standing in a way that any corporation would kill for.

From far away, this is how it looks: There is a country out there where tens of millions of white Christians, voting freely, select as their leader a black man of modest origin, the son of a Muslim. There is a place on Earth — call it America — where such a thing happens.

Even where the United States is held in special contempt, like here in this benighted Palestinian coastal strip, the “glorious epic of Barack Obama,