Young supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama voice their support for him early on Tuesday, election day in New York. - AP

The threshold of 270 electoral college votes made the difference between a McCain and an Obama being president-elect of the USA, between the voices of big business interests and the common man, between whites and non-whites occupying the hallowed walls of the White House, between a dream articulated 40 years ago by a single black man inspiring a few million within his race and a reality achieved by a single black man representing the hope and ambitions of billions not only within his race.

Can you imagine, Michelle Obama an obviously black woman being in the White House not to scrub the floors and take orders, but as the legitimate first lady of the USA?

Barack Obama therefore not only impacted history symbolically, but he defied history strategically. His campaign for change reso-nated with peoples across generations, races, continents, classes, intellects and experiences. The impact of his victory must not simply be described in the emotional realms of symbo-lism, but must extend to the practical ideals of intellectual prowess and strategy. After all, being able to think, plan, execute and succeed is not programmed only in the genes of Caucasians or the upbringing of the privileged. Non-whites, yes, blacks from unusual and even dysfunctional childhood settings can defy the odds, stay focused and lead the world.

There is no value that can be placed on the significant symbolic value that Obama's achievement has had on the psyche and self-esteem of blacks and non-whites across the world. As he aptly stated in his victory speech though our "stories are singular" our "destiny is shared"! We are all living on a planet in peril - environmentally, socially, financially and even religiously and if we do not row this boat together, it will capsize and we will have to drown individually.

repair a nation

Obama himself recognised that there cannot be "a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers". He is being made the bridge between the Republican and Democratic parties, the bridge that will allow for the liberals, moderates and conservatives to sit together at the proverbial round table and "repair a nation", "reshape a country" and change a world.

McCain's magnanimous concession speech gives hope. Obama has become the bridge harmonising the relations between the black civil-rights leaders who fought valiantly the harsh realities of segregation and the new "come see" generation of African-Americans who might have taken it all for granted. The Jesse Jacksons of the civil-rights movements could not have achieved this as their scars are too deep; however, their struggles built the mountain top on which Obama could stand and claim the 'promised land' for all peoples. Obama is that bridge of hope testifying to the possibilities that lay before any people who try. He has not simply shattered the glass ceiling, he has melted an iron shield. Children and women are poised to benefit from his administration as he leads a seemingly close knit black family to the presidential house and he has done this using intellect and strategy.

He out-strategised the Clintons and numerous 'experts' and 'men or great influence' to win his party's nomination when it was said that could not be done and he raised the money needed to execute his plans successfully when 'all the writings on the wall' showed that this was impossible.

Most persons agree that Obama's campaign was near to perfect. There seemed not to be any skeleton in his closet notwithstanding the attempts to fabricate or dig up one to derail or deny his victory. He chose to be all inclusive and his mantra of "yes, we can" was a brilliant strategic battle cry to mend differences and on November 4, it became a victory song recognising the importance of inclusiveness and the need for a coalition of the fractions within his society. He carefully chose his running mate, Joe Biden, and he never overtly championed the cause of his race whether black or white (which angst some of the civil-rights leaders), but rather he went for the jugular - ending the wars, broader based health-care benefits, alternative energy, reviewing taxation, equal rights and opportunities, democracy and its ideals.

Obama ran a clean and organised campaign that was rejected by many pundits as being too unconventional and not accomplishable. Obama however, understood timing and he brought a level of energy, skills and vision to a team that mobilised a cadre of footmen utilising the old and proven door-to-door, personalised Richard Daley-style campaigning across the country, thus reaching millions of potential voters.

campaign

He used cutting-edge technology, reaching over three million young persons at any one time via text messages and offering persons through Obama.com an opportunity to respond and have an impact on the campaign.

The strategy used for campaigning cannot be the one used for governing, and already this visionary leader has recognised this and he is building an administration that complements his personal strengths and weaknesses - that is not symbolic; that is strategy!

Charlene Sharpe-Pryce is faculty head at Northern Caribbean University.