Barack Obama is exceptional. There is no doubt of that. He has skills and character that I believe are deeply necessary to address the problems that face our nation and our world.

However, I harbor no doubts that Obama is a political radical. Like many of you, he is too close to the supposed center. He has advisors and influences that are distinctly part of the establishment. He is also a thoughtful individual who I believe will listen.

The response to Obama as reflected by the tremendous support he has earned is significant, but let no one be fooled. A political campaign is not a social movement. It will take a social movement to take the momentum of hope and commitment for a better world and move the nation and the world forward.

We still have months of a Bush administration in place which is eviscerating regulations as I write this. This digs an even deeper hole for the people and our new President to operate from.

The winning of this election is the first step - not the end. I, like many of you, have been an activist for most of my life. We know the double edged sword of "victory," The inexperienced will think "we've won" and go back to their lives. Democracy is a process. Resolving the problems of our nation and our world is a process. It is a life long task. It is a task that we will pass to the next generation, and they to the one that follows them.

It is my hope and my prayer that Obama will use his gifts and his support to be the truly courageous leader that we need. I am certain that he cannot be that leader without the heart and effort of the people - of us.

For now; for this moment; let us celebrate the fact that we are starting on a new path with a leader who is seen rarely. We are in this together. Let us celebrate together, and then move forward together to address the monumental challenges we face.