Thats actually a very good editorial from the Economist. While Obama may well be ascendant, those who think he's the Great 'half-white' Hope are likely to be disappointed. Depressed inner cities will not blossom into high tech knowledge centres overnight. Neither will climate change and global warming evaporate, and there will still be some 'Bad guys' out there trying to harm US and Western interests.
Obama is not the Messiah! Otoh, neither will newly emboldened 'Soul brothers' invade your leafy suburbs demanding your daughter in tribute.
And honestly, Microsoft and Big Oil will not be nationalised for the public good.
The pressing concerns of a new Democratic administration will be somewhat more mundane, given their more conservative approach to economics than the modern Republican party. Such things as reducing the budget deficit and restoring faith in the financial system, so that the banks can start lending again (a bit more sensibly).