"Good Morning America" reporter Bill Weir gushed on Wednesday morning about the "transcendent" reaction to Senator Barack Obama's presidential victory. Discussing Tuesday night's jubilant crowds in New York City, where the ABC program is produced, Weir described the "melting pot of communal joy."
Weir enthused that the celebration was "the kind not seen on New Year's Eve or championship parades. At the crossroads of the world, voices from around the world shouted of the greatness of America." He added, "When the announcement was made, literal dancing in the streets...And people were locking in embraces, watching the speech there as well."
The journalist even recounted how he attempted to remind an African American mother of America's history with slavery. After this woman and her daughter saw a graphic on a jumbotron of all the presidents, one that included Obama as the nation's 44th commander in chief, Weir went over to the pair and attempted to invoke a negative reaction. He explained, "And I leaned over and said, you know, 12 of those men owned slaves. And the mother turned to me and said, 'That stain is washed.'"
A transcript of the segment, which occurred at 7:32am on November 5, follows:
SAWYER: But, first, lets get more of a sense of what was going on in America's streets and across the nation as Americans came out in millions to mark the historic election. Joining us now with all the highlights from across the country, GMA weekend anchor Bill Weir. Bill?
BILL WEIR: Diane, as you know so well, when you work here in the crossroads of the world, you get used to group jubilation in various forms. But last night was transcendent. It was something else entirely. But, this was the site of just one party. For Barack Obama supporters last night, the center of the universe was Chicago. He drew six-figure crowds on the campaign trail. So, it was hardly shocking when 150,000 packed Grant Park, in Obama's hometown of Chicago. All of them, a little less nervous, a little more hopeful, with every state called, until about 10:00 local time, when history was announced.
CHARLIE GIBSON: Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States.
WEIR: And tears began to flow. At Shiloh church, in the nation's capital, An explosion of emotion. It spilled down Pennsylvania Avenue, to the gates of the White House.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: We all did it! You! You! You!
WEIR: And from Morehouse College in Atlanta, to Martin Luther King Boulevard in Harlem, African-Americans let fly shouts of joy and relief 200 years in the making. But 60 percent of Obama's votes came from white people in places like San Diego and Seattle. And in the heart of New York City, a melting pot of communal joy. And your thoughts on this historic moment?
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Oh, we are so excited.
SECOND UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: This is a day the Lord has made.
WEIR: The kind not seen on New Year's Eve or championship parades. At the crossroads of the world, voices from around the world shouted of the greatness of America. And it really came in ebbs and flows. When the announcement was made, literal dancing in the streets and then, it calmed down. And people were locking in embraces, watching the speech there as well. But, the one moment, Diane, that will be forever seared in my memory. I happened to be watching an African-American mother and daughter and their knees literally buckled. And I looked up at our jumbotron, to see what caused it. And it was this graphic that you put together of the now 44 presidents of the United States. And when they recognized that image, it was- it was convulsions, sobs and laughter at the same time. And I leaned over and said, you know, 12 of those men owned slaves. And the mother turned to me and said, 'That stain is washed.' Diane?
SAWYER: Oh my, Bill. Well, I wanted to put that page up, because I was always struck in high school looking at the history books when I got to that page of American presidents and they all looked so much the same.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.





















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The Anti-Christ?
November 5, 2008 - 16:59 ET by Mr XNot that I buy into all that, but I cannot help wonder how many people might be sensing perhaps we have the "Anti-Christ" on our hands.
I bet it is not a small number.
maybe not The antichrist, but...
November 5, 2008 - 17:39 ET by vrwc131 John 2:18
18Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
1 John 4:3 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
He fits the bill
November 5, 2008 - 18:49 ET by TheAssessorHe seems to fit the bill as advertised. Another interesting prediction is the Mayan's that the world will see a dramatic shift in Dec. 2012. Interesting date... gives me that funny feeeeling.
It's America, not Omerica
Please tell me something Mr. Weir
November 5, 2008 - 17:00 ET by delmarWhat were the party affiliations of those 12 men?
"And I leaned over and said, you know, 12 of those men owned slaves. And the mother turned to me and said to me, that stain is washed."
Party not as important
November 5, 2008 - 17:14 ET by ArcherBWhat is important is this:
Does this mean the end of affirmative action? No one can say that a black American can't make it because the most powerful man in the world will be black.
So, as of Jan 20, 2009, if "The Man" is holding you down, it's not a white man!
"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary."
--Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Correction, ArcherB
November 5, 2008 - 17:22 ET by Mica the MagnificentIt will be the white half of Obama holding you down.
Alex, I believe the answer
November 5, 2008 - 17:45 ET by ChadAlex, I believe the answer is "What party started the hate group, Klu Klux Klan?"
~Chad
Cincinnati, OH
and his mercy endures forever
November 5, 2008 - 17:00 ET by candanceHow blessed we are to be in the presence of his greatness.
I'm a typical white person.
'That stain is
November 5, 2008 - 17:08 ET by Semperright'That stain is washed.'
Good, now shut up about it
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
Since obama's father
November 5, 2008 - 17:17 ET by MidAmericaSince obama's father was an actual African, obama may be descended from the Africans who kidnapped and sold slaves to the white traders who bought them. So obama could have more in common with the slave holding Presidents than the slaves they held.
notice to MidAmerica
November 5, 2008 - 17:20 ET by Mica the MagnificentBe careful, MA.
Obama may be merciful, but any talk about his background may subject you to an audit, a credit check and a background probe.
And that's by the MSM!!
No questions, please. Shhhhhhh. ;)
Not to mention the FBI
November 5, 2008 - 17:22 ET by motherbeltNot to mention the FBI colonoscopy!!
I heard about that, motherbelt
November 5, 2008 - 17:30 ET by Mica the MagnificentYikes. I hear that's where 2 agents drive an unmarked Prius around in there, probing for clues. Then, when you wake up, they try to convince you that you fell asleep on a San Francisco street corner.
Yeah I know.... I need to
November 5, 2008 - 17:31 ET by MidAmericaYeah I know.... I need to work on getting my post-election euphoria up to speed. Oh well, I'll feel a lot better when my stimulus checks start coming in, my kids get relief on their college loans and help with their mortgages, I get my medical benefits, and my wife wants help starting a business. Five minutes of voting sure beats the heck out of standing in a long line at the mall and then having to sit on the lap of that old guy with the white beard.
Well there you have it, folks!
November 5, 2008 - 17:24 ET by motherbeltRight from the mouth of an African-American:
That stain is washed.
We are no longer tainted by the stain of slavery!!
just like Jesus gave his
November 5, 2008 - 18:13 ET by Old Europejust like Jesus gave his life to wash us from any sin, Maobama got elected through fraud and felonies and washed us from the sin of slavery. Big sacrifice! These people are seriously deranged.
I thought
November 5, 2008 - 20:31 ET by ahusserat first they were talking about Lewinski's dress.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
12 of those men owned
November 5, 2008 - 18:39 ET by TN Mom12 of those men owned slaves. And the mother turned to me and said, 'That stain is washed.
That's good for the Country! Yay!
Now there is no longer a need for the BLACK PANTHERS; I'm beginning to feel a little Communal Joy myself.
I'm sure all slaves are jumping for joy
November 6, 2008 - 00:51 ET by jefflebowskiBut of course the only slaves alive today are in Africa and Asia. I have been sick and tired of the "slave" card for a loooong time now. Too bad we still won't hear the end of it.
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
A new name for the USA
November 5, 2008 - 18:43 ET by ArchStantonDo you people think Obama will rename the USA The People's Republic of America or The Union of American Socialist Republics?
Name
November 5, 2008 - 18:48 ET by LionKingUSSA -- United Socialist States of Amerika
Good evening King
November 5, 2008 - 19:32 ET by cocodrieSounds good The national bird is now a chicken.
And the colors are
November 5, 2008 - 20:32 ET by ahusserRed and Yellow
I wonder how long before he
November 6, 2008 - 09:03 ET by dream onI wonder how long before he decides to re-design the flag to match the symbol he had on his plane...
...African-Americans let
November 5, 2008 - 19:04 ET by El__Kabong...African-Americans let fly shouts of joy and relief 200 years in the making.
This started in 1807? Did I miss something? As an American who happens to be black, that statement is utter nonsense. And it certainly didn't take 200 years... in terms of politics and elections, it took blacks just being able to run for office, and winning them, to get to this point. Not an Obama supporter here (voted for Palin), btw.
SECOND UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: This is a day the Lord has made.
The Lord has made every day, as far as I'm concerned. Did it in 2008, 2004 and every day, even 200 years ago. Were/are there setbacks? Absolutely! No matter what, I thank God every day that I am here in the US. This is the greatest country in the world. It was decades ago, and it still is today.
And I leaned over and said, you know, 12 of those men owned slaves. And the mother turned to me and said, 'That stain is washed.'
12 of them owned slaves? So what? What has that got to do with today? That stain not being washed should have no bearing on your life or mine... you are free to live, work, write, succeed or fail. The country's past is what it is- the past. The country has moved forward and has become much better for it. Our generation is much, much better off than our ancestors of 200 years ago. I could type much more, but I hope I got a small point across- The greatness of this country didn't just start because of Obama's victory in this race. It made it possible.
t
El_K
November 5, 2008 - 19:15 ET by TN MomNice catch! Very nice!
I could type much more
Please do, you make very good points.
good evening El. Enjoyed
November 5, 2008 - 19:29 ET by cocodriegood evening El. Enjoyed your post.
El_Kabong, you sir are my
November 5, 2008 - 20:14 ET by HockeyKidEl_Kabong, you sir are my brother indeed.
(And your nick gave me a smile, too.)
That glow liberals are
November 5, 2008 - 19:19 ET by ConservativeRexThat glow liberals are seeing, is just the burn off of methane coming from the fresh bullshit Obami is spouting.
Nothing new here, just the same ol' socialist BS.
Communal Joy
November 6, 2008 - 12:14 ET by szamp"Communal Joy". That sounds like communist talk. I believe that can be translated to "joy for communists".
When are the MSM members going to start to refer to each other as comrades?