Cynthia : Thanks to you and your great team for your balanced, civil reporting throughout this long campaign. It seems there has been a cosmic shift in the universe. My African-American husband is still in shock, and we are still hugging each other in disbelief. Thank you so much for your civil discourse and informed participants.

Peter : Perhaps now the specter of Thatcherism is dead.

randy : amazing race

TallahasseeMA : What's with Mark Shields? Obama should exude happiness a la FDR? Where's your happiness at an historic moment that Obama rightfully viewed with humility, not gaiety? Please consider, Lehrer, another generation of "liberal" to take Shields' place. I can't read his mind but I can say he's not right for the 21st century.

John Stevens : President Obama has changed our country through his ability to think, his judgement, and the application of managerial talent. He will make a great president by applying those same elements to our national problems. I'm not anticipating perfection. I'm anticipating the best shot we have at dealing with serious issues.

JM : Mark Shields said that Obama's speech was too long. I am sure that Mark has heard Obama speak many times, but out here in California we haven't heard him speak. Also all of the McCain supporters have not heard him speak. So I think it was appropriate that Obama speak to America and the world at this great historical moments.

CyrusHowell : Obama needs to show America who is in charge and send the FBI to Wall Street to make arrests.

Jane Taylor Eastwood : We watch "Newshour" every day (as well as Washington Week and many other programs!) -- we have nothing as broad-ranging, intelligent and informative in Canada. Our thanks and great appreciation to all of you for such consistent quality.

Charles Morrill : Yesterday, for the first time here in Charlottesville, Virginia, the line at our polling place stretched two blocks long. Yesterday, we voted for the best man because among other things, he was the best man. Something huge happened yesterday, and I'm still not sure what it was. What was it that woke so many of us up at 5 a.m. and said go vote. You thought you'd look rather silly being first in line only to find that you were voting with nearly everyone else. This will sound nuts, but I still don't know exactly what happened, except that yesterday, for a moment, I didn't see Obama as a black man. For the first time, I only saw him as the best man.

Adele : Something perplexed me in the Brooks and Shields commentary last night. Barack Obama is a baby-boomer since he was born between 1946 and 1964 inclusive. David Brooks referred to him several times as a post-boomer, and Mark Shields seemed to confirm that when he said baby-boomers are a Me Generation and Obama isn't like that. I'm not sure why Brooks and Shields felt like it was so important to distance Obama from the Baby Boomers. And just by repeating something over and over doesn't make it true.

Carol Brooks : I haven't cried over a victory speech since Kennedy. Obama is the right man for the times. He is what we are - a diverse, multi-cultural, citizen of the world where our fates are interconnected. He has renewed our belief that each of us, and our vote, can make a difference.

John Mill : I cried too. I have a lot of hope that we have elected a clam, intellectual, caring, and effectual president. For the first time in a long time, I was proud to cast my ballot for a candidate. I also understand that we as a nation have a very long way to go. I pray that we make it. As a side note, Jim Lehrer spoke at my college graduation back in 1998. Jim Lehrer and his colleagues at the news hour have been heroes to me for a very long time.

Pat : I would like to thank the newshour for their magnificent coverage of the election.

Melissa : The fact of the matter is, Obama's skin color has nothing to do with the man he is and the great leader he will be for our nation in this time of crisis. He has a voice that carries out over all Americans and he will listen to all of ours. Anyone who was still voting for McCain needs to realize that he only cared about what the past presidents have, and Obama really cares about the future of America as it needs time to focus on itself before focusing on others.

Riad : Thank you for the terrific coverage. You have the best and most balanced news team. I always learn so much from all of you. What a great moment for America. Take care of your voice/throat Mr. Lehrer.

Pat Kudell : Thank you for your daily nonpartisan coverage of this long, sometimes tedious, always fascinating campaign. The end result was a triumph for the ages, the "first page in a new chapter in future history books," as David Brooks suggested. I disagree with a posting earlier which criticized Mark Shields. I find the historical perspective (and inside knowledge of congressional interplay) which he provides a critical element in enhancing my understanding of political developments.

A Concerned Citzen : There was 1Million votes for other candidates; why is it soooooo difficult to get results of the other 35 people?