Editorial: Finally, it’s over

For those of you who keep track of such things, history was made at 1:23 p.m. Tuesday when the Associated Press declared Sen. Barack Obama had secured enough delegates to wrap up the Democratic nomination.

In doing so, Obama ended a contentious five-month campaign and will be the first black candidate to lead a major party’s ticket when he squares off against Sen. John McCain in this fall’s general election.

While you can argue persuasively that Howard Dean and the Democratic National Committee stacked the deck against Sen. Hillary Clinton from the beginning, you cannot discount the masterful strategy employed by Team Obama.

The Illinois senator raised more money and ran a better campaign aimed at attracting a broad base of disgruntled and disenchanted Democrats and, in states with open primaries, independent voters who believe America and its government can do better. Prevailing in 11 consecutive contests after surviving Super Tuesday, Obama won when he had to — including the pivotal North Carolina primary — and ran a close second in states where it looked like Clinton would win handily.

Just as importantly, Obama was able to line up the support of many of the party’s movers and shakers, including Ted Kennedy, former President Jimmy Carter and our own John Edwards, who will serve as superdelegates at the convention.

Obama’s battle with Clinton was bound to produce a first in our nation’s 232-year history. Had Clinton won, she would have been the first woman to top a major party ticket.

But their campaigns were about much, much more than race and gender. While Clinton offered well-defined public policy proposals, Obama delivered something that Democratic voters wanted more: hope for a better tomorrow.

With gas prices hovering at $4 per gallon, a national housing crisis and spiraling national debt, we believe that message will resonate with American voters this fall.