Obama Wins
By Stacey Featherstone
Writer
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was elected 44th president of the United States Tuesday night following a 21-month campaign, the longest in American history.
Obama won both the popular and electoral vote by a comfortable margin. Eight states Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) lost in 2004 voted Democratic this year, including battleground states Ohio and Florida.
Pennsylvania, an important swing state with 21 electoral votes, also went to the Democrats, with Obama winning 55 percent of the vote. Union County, where the University is located, went to Republican candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz). More than 9,500 voters supported McCain compared to the 7,207 who backed Obama.
Obama addressed a crowd of up to 240,000 in Chicago, Ill. upon his election.
“America is a place where all things are possible. We have never been just a collection of red states and blue states. We are and always will be the United States of America,” he said.
The Democrats are firmly in control, gaining control of the House, Senate and White House for the first time since 1995, according to bbc.co.uk.
Obama said he looks forward to working with his former opponents in the months ahead.
“We need to heal the divides that have held back our progress,” he said.
McCain addressed the country after learning of his defeat.
“I have served this country for a half a century … tonight, I remain her servant. I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president,” he said in his speech Tuesday from Phoenix, Ariz.
McCain went on to thank supporters, making special note of his family and advisers. McCain also thanked running mate Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska).
“We can all look forward to her future service to Alaska, the Republican party and our country,” McCain said.
The Republican candidate said he would not regret what might have been.
“This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life,” he said.
McCain also made a similar request in his speech to end bipartisanship.
The new president will face challenges as the campaign euphoria fades. Obama inherits the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In his speech, Obama warned voters “the climb will be steep.”
Campus campaigning increased as the election approached and continued throughout Tuesday. Obama supporters set up camp in the Elaine Langone Center with flyers and stickers, and wrote in chalk on campus pathways.
While some found it excessive, others thought it added to the excitement.
“Here at the University it was exciting; there was a lot of support for the election and everyone was wearing stickers and showing support. Clearly this time the youth vote was important,” David Iselin ’10 said.
According to The New York Times, seven in 10 voters under the age of 30 voted for Obama. He also captured a reported 96 percent of the black vote. Voters came forth in scores on Tuesday; 64.1 percent of eligible American voters participated.
Kadero Watson ’09 was glad to see the United States look past race.
“The nation and even the world was looking on to see if America was going to really move into the realm in which we were founded on: ‘that every man is created equal.’ Today I am proud to be an African-American, and I am proud to be an American,” Watson said.
Jakob Schaeffer ’11 wished the end of the election had been more climactic on campus.
“At Duke University there were rallies and themed rooms. But things here seemed pretty quiet,” he said.
The election made front-page news internationally, proving once more this election has an impact far beyond the United States. News reports from various nations reflected sentiments of hope and celebration sweeping the globe following Obama’s victory.
“I am very hopeful for our country and the world because of Senator Obama’s win. It was gratifying to see the positive reaction of many Americans along with various countries around the globe,” said Kurt Thiede, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions.
Some students were less enthused.
“I was hoping for a McCain victory but expected that Obama would win based on the polls, and that was what happened,” John Salmans ’10 said.
“I hope Obama will be pro free-trade despite his campaign rhetoric. I’m happy he’s appointed some moderate economic advisers. Perhaps he will not be too far left as a president. We’ll have to wait and see,” he said.
Amanda Kronquist ’10 was more pessimistic.
“The voting age should be increased to at least 21 when kids actually work for themselves and do not depend on Mommy and Daddy. Wait until their parents’ money gets taken away and they cannot have their $500 purses.
With $1 trillion in social programs, all you’ll have left is change,” she said.
Party affiliation aside, the United States has a long and troubled road ahead and a new guide to follow.
“We have to remember it takes hard work, responsibility and unity to get this nation on the right track,” Watson said.
On Wednesday, the whiteboard in the lobby of the Ellen Clarke Bertrand Library echoed his sentiment. A student left the following message:
“Last night, we elected Barack Obama to be the President of the United States of America. Today, let us remember what that means. He is not our king, nor lord, nor emperor. This country is ours.”
