Spring Break
Obama wins presidency
Cameron Birch
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: News
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As of 1:38 a.m., Obama had secured 52 percent of the nation's popular vote, with 338 electoral votes. Montana, Missouri, Indiana, and North Carolina still remained undecided.
This election marks many first time events, including the first African-American president, president born in the non-continental United States, and the first female Republican Vice Presidential nominee, Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska).
Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reports the Democrats gaining five seats in the Senate for a total of 56, four away from the filibuster-ending majority of 60. In the House of Representatives, Democrats are expected to gain ten seats more than their current 235 to 199 margin.
In his concession speech, taking place before Obama's victory speech, McCain said, "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating [Obama], but offer our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited."
Speaking in Chicago, Ill. in his victory speech, Obama said, "So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service an responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other…Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long…What we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."
Sean Miller, President of the Drexel Democrats, called Obama's victory a "tremendous night," and said the victory, "hasn't really set in." He was also 'proud' of Drexel University; Miller stated that 2100 out of 2800 registered voters on campus went to the polling places this election day.
"[It is] something Drexel can me extremely proud of," Miller stated.
To the Republicans, Miller said, "If it's any part that knows what they're feeling like, it's the democratic party…I hope they'll see that [Obama] has America's future on his mind." Miller later added, "It's time for unity."
On the future of the Drexel Democrats, Miller said his group will hold internal elections to replace their leaving officers and participate more in volunteer service in the community. He said they will plan 'grassroots type volunteering' in addition to voting and support for local and national democratic candidates.
"[I] congratulate Drexel on a tremendous day, [it is] something everyone should be proud of," Miller said.
At the writing of this article, the Drexel Republicans were unavailable for comment.
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