Election Night Changed Everything

Election Night

On the evening of November 4, 2008 I watched history be made, I heard screams of joy made at the dormitories of California State University of Northridge and car horns were being honked as we all watched and listen for Democratic candidate Barack Obama, 47, elected president of the United States. For the first time in history an African American man was elected president of the United States. It was not only an historic night for the African American community but for everyone in America of all races.

This election was historic because not only did an African American run for president but there was a woman running for vice president. Governor Sarah Palin was Republican candidate Senator John McCain choice as vice president. Though many people did not agree with McCain’s choice it was nevertheless a woman possibly being a vice president of the United States and that in of itself is historic.

What were the reasons for Obama being elected president is it because he’s black, a democrat, or the best man for the job. Many speculated that African Americans would get his vote because he is African American. Though the percentage of African American voters was high this election year, Obama being black was not the reason he received those votes.

Nicholle Davis, 32, is a single mother of five from Syracuse, New York. She is African American, a first time voter, and she is a Democrat. Davis registered to vote this election year not because Obama was going to be the first African American president but because she was tired of living in a terrible recession. “The economy is horrible because of Republican President George W. Bush. I liked what Obama was talking about and the change he is going to make,” said Davis.

Davis also says that she could have voted when former President Bill Clinton was elected into office for both his terms but did not because she was not focused on politics at that time. And at the time Clinton was in office the economy was not in danger like it is now.

Over 250,000 Obama supporters joined him at Chicago’s Grant Park as he dominated over McCain on election night with 364 electoral votes, McCain with only 163. Obama also won the majority votes. He received 95 percent of the African American votes and two-thirds of Hispanic and Asian votes. Minority voters accounted for 26 percent of all votes compared to the 2000 election where there were only 19 percent of minority voters. Obama made history that night as being the first African American to be elected president but he also made history as being the first Democrat to receive 50 percent of the popular vote.

California State University of Northridge student Jessica Medina, 19, is a first time voter and she is also register as a Democrat. She was thrilled at the outcome of the election. “This was the most historic and important election and there was no way I would miss this. Aside from that, I was drawn to politics for the very first time, and it was all because of Barack Obama. I voted for Obama because he has inspired a whole nation to become united. He has given hope to many who lost faith, and made me believe in him as a politician. I feel his ideas will change America,” said Medina.

Like Medina many people had lost hope in this country because of President Bush being in office and Obama words made that hope change. The majority of young voters felt the same way Medina felt on election night, proud to be a part of this historic election. Obama received 66 percent of the 18-29 votes that night compared to the 53 percent in 2004.

Former student of CSUN Chace Cappello, 24, is register as a Democrat and is not a first time voter. Like most he believes that everyone should have a voice when it comes to voting. Cappello voted for Obama because he did not want another Republican in office. His other reason for voting for Obama was because he was concerned with the way the world views America and after eight years of having a terrible president its time for change and Obama brings that to the table. “The rest of the world views Obama positively, an intelligent person, and eloquent speaker,” said Cappello.

America is going through a recession and the economy is at a terrible state. America needs a leader that will pull us back up and Obama is that leader. All we can do as a society is wait to see the changes he will make.