Democrat Barack Obama defeats McCain securing presidency

Moses Utomi / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

“It’s been a long time coming,” the president-elect said, “but tonight, because of what we did on this date, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.”

With 338 electoral votes and 52 percent of the popular vote at press time, Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States of America and the first African-American president in U.S. history.

Polls leading up to the election suggested that Obama had a slight lead over John McCain. The lead was reflected at the beginning of the actual election results, but the numbers eventually began leaning more and more heavily towards Obama. The turning point came when Obama took Ohio, one of the most crucial battleground states. Prior to Tuesday night, no Republican had ever won the presidency without winning Ohio and that trend continued with the senator from Arizona.

“We have come to the end of a long journey,” began a prepared, but visibly emotional McCain in his concession speech. “The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life.”

In his speech from Phoenix, Ariz. McCain praised Obama’s campaign and congratulated his opponent on his success, despite boos from a disappointed crowd. He, with running mate Sarah Palin behind him, went on to state that Americans must now put their political differences aside and rally behind their new president.

“I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president,” McCain said. “And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of ays, in the promise and greatness of America.”

In Chicago, Ill. chants of “yes, we did” roared from a celebratory crowd of Obama supporters packed into Grant Park. A characteristically calm Obama took the stage to address the assembly of more than 225,000 people, hugging and kissing his wife and daughters before delivering his victory speech.

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” a triumphant Obama said.

The president-elect spoke of achieving the better future that had been the focal point of his 21-month campaign. He emphasized that the goal would not be accomplished without the hard work and sacrifice that has become synonymous with the American people.

“The road ahead will be long,” Obama said. “Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there.”

On campus, students from all political ideologies closely followed the night’s events. “As a McCain supporter, I don’t see much good that can come from this,” sophomore Jim Harrison said. “However, I give [Obama] the benefit of the doubt: no preemptive condemnation.”

“Regardless if you agree or disagree with the results,” sophomore Adam Vaughn said, “if we managed to survive 8 years of GWB, we will survive whatever challenges we face going forward.”

The elections were favorable to the Democratic Party. By press time the Democrats gained a 259-176 majority in the House, and extended their lead in the Senate to 56-44.