By James Donahue

How grand it seemed to wake up this morning to a new day, knowing that voters yesterday selected a bright, articulate leader who appears to have a plan for fixing the complex mess created by the still sitting administration.

President-elect Barack Obama’s acceptance speech to the world on election night was so profound it brought tears to the eyes of this cynical journalist. We haven’t heard an inspirational address of that caliber for a good many years.

Mr. Obama did not flaunt the fact that he has made history by being the first black man to win the presidential office in America. He did not flaunt the fact that he did anything outstanding, nor that he, alone, has all the answers. Instead he said the victory belonged to the people, and the work of fixing America rests there as well. Like a true leader, this man called upon all Americans to unite.

Even after enduring all of the vicious personal political attack ads by the John McCain camp, Mr. Obama praised McCain, calling him a brave and selfless leader who has “endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.” He said he was looking forward to working with McCain and all of the other Republicans.

It was a speech of uniting, not dividing.

Mr. Obama spoke of the complex decisions to be made in the coming months to wind down two wars, generate new jobs, get the economy back to health, deal with the fuel crisis as well as global warming.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there,” he said.

“There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.  I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

“So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

“While the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, ‘We are not enemies, but friends . . . though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.’ And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too.”

And to the world, where millions of people were also listening to his every word, Mr. Obama promised that “our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down, we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security, we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright, tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.”

People all over the world were listening.  Obama’s victory was headline news in newspapers from England to Japan , China, Venezuela and South Africa.

Even as Mr. Obama began the difficult process of building his cabinet and preparing to take over the job as President of the United States, he was receiving congratulatory calls from world leaders and even appeals for immediate involvement in helping to solve the world financial crisis.

With world financial leaders scheduled to meet in Washington this weekend to hammer out plans to deal with the crisis, Obama is already feeling pressure to pick a Treasury Secretary and get this person involved as soon as possible. President George W. Bush and his staff have pledged to help in the transition.

Mr. Obama will not take office until his inauguration on Jan. 20. But many world leaders seem to feel this is going to be too long to wait.