Reflections on Election Night 2008

Clark became unexpectedly choked up last night around 11 p.m. ET when the networks projected that Sen. Obama would in fact become President-elect Obama.

The penny-pincher has so little in common with Obamanomics, but he was very touched by the moment. Clark was moved by McCain's elegant, classy concession speech and his vow of unwavering cooperation. Then Obama spoke in Chicago's Grant Park and extended an olive branch to Sen. McCain. When everything was said and done, both men were gracious to each other.

As an American, you can't help but be proud about what a great country we are.

Many of you may feel wounded because your candidate and party lost. But unlike in other countries, nobody takes to the street to do a military coup and seize power. We are a beacon of hope and opportunity in the world. In addition, we have also exported so many great things around the world. People look at us and know that giving an individual the ability to succeed or fail as a capitalist is the ultimate ticket to creating wealth.

While Clark does not subscribe to Obamanomics, he is a longtime disciple of Britain's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Through her force of will and ideals, the Iron Lady caused an awakening that brought Britain out of a major economic slump in the '70s. How did she do it? By reducing taxes and creating marketplace incentives for people to get working.

Clark does not believe for a minute that Obama's leadership will create a pre-Thatcherian wasteland on our shores. Obama has a great ear for what people want and what our society is all about. There's no need to pack your bags and look for a new place to live.

So why exactly did Clark choke up when Obama won? You have to understand that he grew up in the Deep South and lived through the battles over segregation for which Dr. King gave his life. Clark could never have pictured growing up as a child that we would have an African-American man as president-elect. He salutes our nation's triumph of moving beyond the prejudices of the past.