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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

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McCain's call to Obama

Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 11:25 PM by Carrie Dann

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
Per Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs, McCain called president-elect Obama at 10 PM Central.

"Senator Obama thanked Senator McCain for his graciousness and said he had waged a tough race. Senator Obama told Senator McCain he was consistently someone who has showed class and honor during this campaign as he has during his entire life in public service.

Senator Obama said he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together - Obama said to move this country forward "I need your help, you're a leader on so many important issues."

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Mccain when you call Obama, be sure you call him Mr. President.    
God bless all the wonderful people who have done so much to change the course of history.
At least he's willing to work with McCain (who should've won).
They're both good men.  They get get a lot done together.
A sad day in America.
YES YES YES I commend McCain on his speech...GO OBAMA!   You had my vote early ~FLA
This is a sad day for America.
I am thrilled with our president-elect, and with the gracious concession of John McCain.  What a class act!
What hope for tomorrow.
I don't know why McCain is giving up already. Most votes have still to be counted, not to mention the couple million absentee ballots from overseas, most of them being soldiers who have a very high rate of approval for McCain. In states with great military populations such as Virginia, and there being such a small margin, there is a definite possibility that the state could turn. Felling as well for Wisconsin and possibly Ohio but that would be a long shot
If John McCain had run his campaign as well as he delivered his concession speech, stating the need for the country to work together, this election may have gone to the Supreme Court. We as a nation have a great task ahead and Sen. McCain, I felt, gave the nation its first step toward working to get everyone working together again.  He even sent out an olive branch "to his good friend Joe Biden".
The real work starts tomorrow.
I really hope that Obama turns out to be a good president, I don't think that it will happen but one can hope.  It is just a shame on how Obama fed on the uneducated americans to win the presidency.
I think if McCain had run a positive & respectful Campaign instead of attacking Obama he would have done better. like when he stopped the woman who said Obama was an Arab & told her "Barrack Obama is a Decent man that he just disagreed on Pokicies", Thats the McCain that would have possibly won. America is Tired of the old ATTACK Politics,
I feel McCain's comment was kind of immature.  I am a republican, so I appreciate Obama wanting to talk with him and get his opinion on what this country needs.  
It is sad how socialistic this democratic country has become.  Bring on big brother and let the money hideing begin.
I am an obama supporter but i do admit that senetor Mccain was very gracious in his speech. I hope that him and Obama can work together to make this country better and bring the economy back up to standards.
If that's really how Obama responded to McCain, then I can respect Obama as our new leader.  I wish him luck!
It is sad how socialistic this democratic country has become.  Bring on big brother and let the money hideing begin.
what a historic day!  I'm sorry that my mother could not be here to witness this phenominal evening but my father who is 87 yrs old witnessed history...thank you God
McCain is a good man and a national hero.  His knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to President Obama.
THE WORLD IS IN FOR A BETTER CHANGE I DO BELIEVE WITH PBAMA LEADING USE. I PRAY HE BRINGS FREEDOM BACK TO THE USOFA
Mr. McCain:  The minute you went for Sarah Palin as your running mate you wrote your defeat right then and there.  As a Republican, I found Mrs. Palin  TOTALLY unqualified for the positiion.  What a poor choice!!!!!
Obama said that because he has no clue on how to lead this country.  It OK Obama - resign now so we do not have to impeach you.
I thought McCain's concession speech was well written and his delivery was great.  I believe he was sincere although he played to win, not lose.  I would have liked to hear something from Palin though.
That was very nice of McCain to make that phone call to our new president of the united states of America.
It amazes me that even with all the mud slinging that McCain did during this election President-Elect Obama still has the grace and maturity to offer to sit down with McCain to "work together". I think we chose the right man for the job. Thank you Obama for being the change this country needs.
You know Obama is not going to use McCain... thats ridiculous.. Obama is just going to do what ever he wants and he is going to "spread the wealth". I can't believe America has elected a president who has COMMUNIST views.. poor choice America. Mark my words, we will all suffer under this man.  he is not ready nor has the right ideas to move this country forward.
Of course Pres. Elect Obama asked Sen. McCain for his help in the future.  That's why he won.  That's why I voted for him.
I proudly voted for Obama, but I thought McCain made a great speech. That's the McCain alot of people wished had shown up to this election, and the one who would have made tonight MUCH closer...
I have always admired John McCain-- never so
much as now. And Obama's response was, I am sure,
sincere and a clear indicator of the man's
intelligence.  We should all note that in every
corner of the world, people have been caught up
in this election; we, not China, are the world's'
future, and they know it.  The past eight years
have been an intellectual and moral desert; the
world looks to US to build the future.  We must
demand that it happens, starting now.
I am a life-long Democrat and a Naval Academy graduate.  As an Obama supporter it is essential that John McCain help us re-unite this country and dissolve the political rancor to find real solutions to our economic problems and restore our moral standing in the world community.
This is to Tara in New York.

Pay attention to the analysts.  Obama won more votes from college grads.
I don't know how it can be accurately related what was actually said, but if this is true, it displays the class and statesmanship that has defined Obama since he began this amazing journey.  God bless him.
I find it disgraceful, that this country, that was FOUNDED on Godly principals has turned its back on the Lord.  We will all reap what you have sewn.   It is ashame that people neglect to do thier homework and see the lack of integrity in mr. OBAMA-NATION... I am discouraged and outraged at the lack of intelligence shown by the american people.  They chose a man with no history of ever accomplishing ANYTHING for this nation, in fact until now, he and his wife have " never been proud of america" ...  (their words, not mine)..  UNBELIEVABLE!!   He in one term will destroy, all that america was founded on.. dont believe me??? read Revelations (its in your bible).. thats that little black book thats covered in dust, stuffed in a box somewhere in your house... or attic...  Try reading it... then maybe you will be ashamed of who you picked as the leader of the free world..  oh and by the way.. welcome to the new russia.. cuz communist we will now become.  
Of course Obama needs Mcains help. Now there's no one to point fingers at and go an opposite direction. Good luck Obama, you'll need all the help you can get. We all know you lack the experience and the knowledge to know that 1 man is not a miracle worker. It's up to our US corporations and economy to change a direction. Good luck.
This country survived four years of Carter and got Pres. Reagan.  We can survive four years of obama/pelosi/reid  and hope for the same wonderful outcome in 2012. (I hope)
The outcome of this election is even more depressing than in 2004.  Tomorrow morning will see an America still very much divided.
It was a good run for Senator McCain.  He lost tonight, but more importantly, so did my country.
i think this was a great win and for me being so young this is the first time i can remember being so excited about elections i think the best man won......and Mccain did put up a heck of a fight ..AMERICA IS A PLACE WHERE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE .....sadly i almost stop'd beliveing that
Congratulations, Amerikkka. You've just elected the first Kenyan to the President of the United States.

Just proves what bunch of morons live in this country. You get what you deserve.
Itis was up to the VOTER, which leader ,if given a chance how the country will be... left with guidance.How real democracy works. We the people requested that CHNGE.  Unknown comment.
We have to give Barack Obama a chance as president. Afterall, it can't be as bad as the past four years have been. It was an historic achievement for Barack Obama. Maybe, now NBC can at least be a news organization and not a biased network.
This is a sad day indeed. Our country spent many years fighting socialism, and now we have a socialist leader. Not only that but Obama has been publicly caught in his lies, and furthermore one of his peers is in favor of Pakistan. A Country that is openly hostile to one of Americas greatest allies...Israel
We have to give Barack Obama a chance as president. Afterall, it can't be as bad as the past four years have been. It was an historic achievement for Barack Obama. Maybe, now NBC can at least be a news organization and not a biased network.
Can't wait for the aftermath...
sorry Dawn r. Bush has already destroyed america
 pretty sad that Obama would ask McCain for advice...I thought Obama was the know it all candidate? hate to say it people...
I think that we have a really under educated America! The sad thing is Obama has a great speech ability...that's why he hired people to write his speeches and maybe he didn't but he hired someone to find the right words to say so that he could win, highly doubt he can act on all his promises...I wish America could've done the math, but that's due to under educated people...and realized that taxes and the economy aren't going to change...more teachers, more money, more this more that, how are we going to get all this MORE??? that's right taxes...have you ever done the research and realized that Illinois is all democratic including the governor and have you ever realized that Illinois has the highest taxes in the U.S. yep 10.25%  and on top of that they have one the highest murder rates in America, in fact more people were killed in Illinois than in Iraq in a years time...where is Obama from, that's right Illinois and yes he has much to do with the economy and the running of Illinois and the sad thing is he is now our U.S. president and thanks to the uninformed citizens and the people that just listened to words of change...I hate how people have said that Palin was not qualified enough to run a country, what has Obama done? he's a first time senator in the white house, at least Palin has run a state and been a commander and chief of a National Guard that is the only National Guard on duty 24/7 everyday of every year!!!  Not qualified right, at least she has a background to build off of and isn't starting right at the bottom but I guess we know where our priorities are we like starting all over with a socialist from the ground up and destroying what this country has worked so hard for...It's a shame we had to vote for our president based on "history" making and the last president, we can't take our dislikes of George W. Bush out on John McCain they aren't the same person!!! I hope you all enjoy your new president all I hope that you can find all the promises that he made, but I just don't see it happening...I hope that he does a good job but I just don't see it happening...Oh and one more thing we may be leaving Iraq soon but say hello to our ALLIE yes our friend Pakistan and enjoy another war but it will all be downhill from there!
Well. Barack's in, now what?
This is to Ellen from Fort Meyers:

Pay attention to common sense. The reason that people go to college is because they need MORE education, not because they are experts in politics.
The work start now, but all toghether we can do it. Barack is an inspired leader, his intelligence, his passion, his classy demeneor, commands the proud response of his supporters, and the respectful loyalty of all other Americans. He is our President. I pry to God, that he keeps his fate, his courage his determination for a meaninful change of course, tha will benefit all american, even those that vilified him. It is time to forget our differences, lets all pull togheter. It is a heavy load facing Obama, lets all of us help him pull it, and lets guard his back.
we can do honor to ourself and regaign some of the faith ans hope that was lost. God bless America and
our new President and also John McCain that has given so much admirable service to this Contry. I believe he can still offer much, a good senator is precious, but we need a 21st century mind, new idea and the energy and grace tha Barak has demostrated, asking and considering advice from any one with special expertise.  that is the paradigm of a great mind, the ability to enrich itself by evaluating and considering the experience of others.
Agreess with jf, Dawn I don't think that either one of them would/could have done a worse job that bush. As far as reading the bible, what does that have to do with President Elect Obama? Nothing that i've ever read in it!
I find myself, unable to sleep tonite -  and I VOTED FOR MCCAIN..  I feel sorry for all of you who voted for Obama, BECAUSE YOU SHOULDNT BE ABLE TO SLEEP FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS.


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