By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

John McCain says it upfront and does it in a classy way Tuesday night: He concedes to Barack Obama and praises him for becoming the nation's first black president.

McCain pledged to "do all in his power" to help Obama improve the country in these dangerous and fiscally challenging time.

He told his supporters to give Obama their help "to help restore our prosperity" and to defend the country.

"Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans," McCain said.

If only McCain had been this classy on the campaign trail, he may have had a better shot at winning the presidency.

Remember, McCain will still be in the Senate in the coming years; he's not up for re-election until 2010.

So we'll see soon whether McCain will be true to his word when the next Congress meets in 2009.

As McCain said, there are still huge differences between the two parties.

But McCain could help America the most if he stays true to his classy words of Tuesday night.