President-elect Barack Obama-History Maker, Winner of the 2008 Election

A day after 2008 elections to the presidential inauguration on January 20, is certainly a historic time line in U.S. history.

Yesterday, November 4, Illinois Senator Barack Obama was elected as 44rd President of the United States. He defeated Arizona Senator John McCain by landslide, grabbing 349 electoral votes and John McCain getting 163. Only 270 elctoral votes are needed to win. (Electoral vote count as of 5:00 p.m. on Nov.5 from CNN). On the national electoral map, Senator Obama also claimed most important batleground states like Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Montana, and North Dakota. For decades, there's hasn't been a Democratic candidate to win these important states. That's history in itself.

In fact, I was talking about politics with my roommate several days before the election here in my new apartment in North Philadelphia, near Temple University and I came close to correctly predict that Obama would win Northeastern region, Lake Michigan states, Florida, Western coast states, and maybe few in the middle. He won Colorado and New Mexico in the middle as well as my predicted regions. I guess my political science classes here at Temple pay off!

I did not, however, vote for Senator Obama. I admire the Senator's passion for change, his inspiring attitude toward millions of young voters, and the way he ran his campaign. The way president-elect Obama ran his campaign certainly will go down in history books as other politicians try to study the tactics he used to ran for office too. I do think that Obama campaign spent too much money (exact amount is not yet known) while the media gave him more air time unlike John McCain. I understand Senator McCain did not have that niche to inspire as his opponent, but I do not think the media needed to ignore McCain's other skills like strong leadership. He was also heavily criticized for his choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate. I applaud Governor Palin for her performance to continue campainging despite all negativity about her experience, wordrobe expenses, and personal family rummors. 

Last night, I was sad to see my Republican candidate loose this important election . I continued to have hope that Senator McCain would win by participating in his campaign work until the last hour. I spent many hours at McCain/Palin Philadelphia headquarters on Arch street in center city, calling Philadelphia residents to vote for McCain, going door-to-door and hanging signs across city neighborhoods. I think it's a miracle in itself that I'm sitting and writing this after my campaigning for McCain in America's most dangerous corner-North Philadelphia-where people get shot here practically on daily basis. I may write a separate blog entry about some Election 2008 stories which I have been a part of. Some are negative, some exciting. I have plenty of pictures to prove.

Tonight, I was watching CBS Evening News with Katie Curic which was a special hour-long extended broadcast. Reporter Mark Phillips began his report with these words: "It's almost he (Barack Obama) was elected as President of the world..." The world indeed is rejoicing over newly-elected American President. I think other countries are tired of President Bush's administration and are looking for change which Obama promises.
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ELECTION DAY 2008:

I decided not to vote early because I knew I would have to stand in line for a long time; as the result, I would be late for my classes. Instead, I got up early and strolled through the Broad street where I placed McCain/Palin signs on windshield of every parked car I saw. That was my last minute outreach to do something for the campaign before most people could get to the polls. During the remaining of the day, my mind was in one place: election, election, election. At work, my Wal Mart co-workers who are black seem to be very excited about this night because they knew we were hours from making a history together. By now, every one knows that I support Senator McCain, and to some it was disappointing. I was called by my friends here a "racist," "simple-minded" and "white suburbianite" as reason  for my support for a Senator McCain (a white candidate) who has much more experience than Senator Obama.  On two seprate occasions, I was approached by tow different assicoated who excitedly told me that tonight they were "history makers." They were reffering to the fact that they just placed their vote for a black candidate which is something many of their relatives have been waiting for a long time. I understand their pride, and Am too proud how far America has come along.

After work, I decided to stop by the McCain campaign headquarters but found it to be deserted. Some people who I saw there looked gloom, pessimistic. I did not stay long and decided to take a walk aroud the beautiful City Hall. While on Market street, I noticed a lot of people celebrating and cheering at Soul Food restaurant, next to CN8 television studios. I was told my a door greeter that a free cocktail, Obama celebratory party was happening-all were welcomed! I went in with my camera to find Senator Obama supporters cheering as large TV screens reported precintcs of the election results. The large room was filled with young hispsters, drinking and eating free food. Stevie Wonder's "We Can Feel It All Over" blarring in the background.

It was also something different about  riding in subway tonight. Philadelphia, which is 75% Democratic, was quite tonight as several people took night walks and a bearded beggar counted cash while sleeping outside Macy's in dirty sleeping bag. I noticed that some who rode subway tonight appeared happy, talkative, and one man just couldn't stop smiling the entire ride. Not sure if the election had to do enything with his smiling.

Once I got home, I turned the TV on just in time to catch Senator John McCain conceeding to Senator Obama and congratulating him on his win. Few cries of "boo" were heard in the background but McCain gently rebuked the crowd, saying that the reason he lost this election was not because of his suporters but because of himself. More jeers followed. I thought his concession speech was humble and gracious. I could see he was dissapointed at the outcome. When he talked about his running mate Sarah Palin, she teared up a little bit but was consoled by her hsband Todd who was at her side. McCain spoke from Arizona in the very spot he married Cindy many years later. 

After about an hour, Senator Obama came out and spoke to more than 500,000 supporters gathered at Garden Park in his homestate of Illionois. His wife Michelle, their two daughers came walking on stage with him. Oprah and Jesse Jackson were seen tearful as Obama spoke about how America transcended through historical adversities and tonight in her shining moment. I thought it was cute when started the speech with a promise to his daugheters: they will be getting a puppy he promised them when they move to the White House.

I watched the President-elect Barack Obama's historic speech together with my black roommate Keith. We both voted today for different candidates. And we also lived through a historic moment together.

I know Senator Obama will have a lot on his plate once he gets in the White House on January 20, 2009. He will have to end two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, face radical Islam that threatens Israel's security, fix the national economy and focus on other important issues that face America today. God has our future in His hands and He certainly elects certain leadears for a reason.