Nov 06 2008
2008 Election Results
I recognize that I must first acknowledge I had obviously hoped this Presidential election would have gone very, very differently. Upon learning the result I was incredibly sad, and felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. John McCain is an amazing man, an amazing servant of our country, an amazing leader and would have made a great President. However, with that said I also must abide by the philosophy I struggle to live by everyday. This philosophy says to not dwell on the “should have been”, the past, the defeat, and instead focus on the good of the present. And my oh my, is there good to be thankful for. But I’ll get to that in just a minute.
One of the more important particulars I feel needed be singled out is the fact that the Republican Party needs an overhaul. I was personally involved with the get out the vote effort locally, and witness to so many shortcomings. We need to have a stronger presence online most especially, President Elect Obama’s presence online was incalculably valuable to his successful campaign overall. Second, we need to mobilize the Republican youth vote. Make note I did not say “court”, but rather “mobilize”, which is because those votes are there, and there is no need to court them. Rather, the need lies within getting out the vote, actually getting bodies to the polls. Not enough attention has been paid by the party to the massive amount of 19-29 year old Republicans from the party, and as a result we suffered tremendously.
The more significant matter to me, nevertheless, is the fact that I am SO PROUD of our country today. I am thankful to live in a country that where even when a vast amount of people vigorously disagree, when all is said and done we still come together and celebrate the incredibly unique and intelligently designed process of democracy. Realizing that we have elected the first African-American President fills me up with joy and pride. Today, despite Senator McCain’s loss, I feel happy and blessed to live in America.
I must state that even though I support the office, and will support the person elected to it, it does not mean that I will turn a blind eye to any and all decisions made by said office. There were a great deal of promises made by President Elect Obama during the campaign, and I will be watching to see how many he actually keeps…as should every individual that voted for him. Because other than the promises, the people that voted for him couldn’t be voting for much else. He does not have a record to trust, a record that would establish who he truly is politically and what he believes. The short record he does have was so diminutive, and most did not pay attention to the incredibly far-left pattern it reflected.
The conversations I have had with those that voted for or are happy about Obama’s presidency are somewhat disconcerting. They are all consistently excited about “change” and “hope”. However, when asking them to spell out the type of change and hope they are so excited about, none could be more specific than those two ambiguous (in this context) words. This troubles me.
Moving on, another thing I have had on my heart is Sarah Palin. You know, only when I was actually at the polling location did it sink in about what it meant to have her on the ticket. Only when I saw her name in black in white did it finally all come together, only then did it become very real for me to see a woman on the Presidential ticket. For the past month I had been hoping to tell my daughter the story of Sarah Palin, while pointing at the White House to say “This is an example that you can do, be and have anything you want. There are no limitations, rules, or boundaries.” While Sarah Palin will not be in the White House, I will still tell my daughter these same things. And even though there is sadness I cannot yet point to the White House while saying these things, I am emboldened by the thought that we are all so much closer to the day that I will be able to do so.
During the first one hundred days of President Elect Obama’s presidency, I will be closely watching. All eyes should be on his choices and his administration’s actions, for they will be rather accurate indicators of how the remaining years will follow.
It’s a complicated mix of emotions I am experiencing, but all the while I am so grateful to live here and be a part of it. I can only certainly hope that even if you find yourself disagreeing with the outcome, you can also appreciate the special opportunity you have in voting and expressing your opinions and that you will respect the majority of the Republic’s decision. God bless you, and God bless America.
