President-elect Barack Obama's Remarks in Grant Park

Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States of America.

Will Chicago be the new Washington? I worked for U.S. Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin from 1995 to 2002. He is a brilliant leader, a masterful legislative tactician, a kind man. He is a key player in Obama's ascendancy to the Oval Office. In 2002, I worked on the campaign of Lisa Madigan for Attorney General of Illinois. She became the first female to hold that position and I worked for her in that office from 2003 to 2006. She is cut from the same cloth as Durbin - brilliant, connects with people, hardworking, destined for greater things.

Back to my point. Grant Park. Been there for Blues Fest and Taste of Chicago a million times. I have never seen the sea of humanity I saw tonight. Read the full text of Obama's remarks here.

Watch for more from the Windy City. Bonus points to anyone who knows why Chicago has the nickname. Let me know.