Page 4 / Thursday, November 6, 2008
NEWS
The Pendulum
Students lead impromptu parade to honor Obama victory Andie Diemer News Editor Shortly after Sen. Barack Obama was confirmed as America's next president, hundreds of students rallied around Elon, snaking through campus and picking up more students along the way. As rain poured down, the mob filled the air with chants of “Obama!” “USA!” and “Change is here!” Obama-Biden signs were waved as others made O's with their arms above their heads. Sophomores Sarah Small and Meg D'Albora were watching the election results inside their dorm, Barney, when they heard the crowd outside. They followed the noise and joined the group as they made their way from North to South campus, but drew back from the pack. “We were with them earlier and they went crazy,” Small said. Chuck Gantos, director of campus safety and police, said he did not assign any more patrols on campus aside from the regular two security officers and two police officers on foot and T3s. As the mass of students circled campus, Campus Safety and Police Officer Sean Watkins was on patrol and said they were not planning to take any action with the group. “As long as they don't damage any property, we're fine with it,” he said. The parade culminated at Young
andie dieMer | news editor
obama supporteres swarmed campus late thursday night, cheering and chanting for President-elect barack obama. Commons in a large “O” where students sang the national anthem. After rushing into the middle, the group said “The Lord's Prayer.” “It was like nothing I'd ever seen before,” freshman Adam Lawson said. Small and D'Albora continued on their way, following slowly from behind the other students sprinting across
Visit www. elon.edu/ pendulum for video of the rally.
Reactions from the field
Students react
PHOENIX
Pro-McCain:
Kyle Gay Freshman
campus. But as the mob continued to circle around once again and headed back toward Small and D'Albora, it became clear to them what they wanted to do. “Come on, let's go join them,” Small said.
FOX 10 PHOENIX PHOTOGRAPHER JOE TILLMAN
“I was sad that Obama became president, but I don’t think it's terrible. I’m a little more worried that the Democrats won 25 more seats in Congress as well as they now have a majority in the Senate. I’m a little more worried about the checks and balances system, but hopefully we can work something out.” Pro-Obama:
“This election was important, especially to people in colleges everywhere. I feel like after eight years of a team of Bush, it’s time for change, it’s time for something Caroline different, it’s time for Walker some inspiration and Freshman I think Barack Obama can bring that to people everywhere. It’s time for Americans to all come together and I feel he’s capable of that. I’m excited for what he’s going to bring to the White House.”
A crowd gathered outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix to support the candidate who, by the end of the night, would not be president-elect. The emotional crowd in support of Sen. John McCain was divided into two sections, ticketed audience members on the lawn and others in the ballroom. “It was an extremely enthusiastic crowd,” said Joe Tillman, a photographer for Fox 10 Phoenix who was covering the event. “They’re an extremely patriotic crowd, but they’re not taking the loss well.” Early in the night, country music blared from speakers and monitors projected election results, but toward the end of the night, the crowd was not receiving up-to-date information, Tillman said. “The news crews were informed, but no one in the ballroom or on the lawn knew what was happening,” he explained. “But we knew something was up because they told everyone to go from the ballroom to the lawn.” The crowd was moved to the lawn for McCain’s concession speech. Tillman and his crew interviewed crowd members. One man said his first act will be to buy guns because guns will be the first thing to go, Tillman said. “Many people were actually crying,” Tillman said. “There were lots of strong emotions.”
– As related to Bethany Swanson, Managing Editor
CHICAGO
ELON ALUM SCOTT MOSHIER Living outside the city, I took a train in and arrived downtown shortly before 5 p.m. Even on the train, the people were buzzing with excitement ... [and] I first heard people talk about the historical aspect of the event. One woman said to another, “You’ll be able to tell your children and grandchildren about this day.” There was a positive energy throughout the entire event, even before Obama gained a lead in electoral votes and long before he was announced the victor. When I asked people why they came to the rally, their answers were all the same: History. The atmosphere of the event felt like a concert, albeit an enormous one. Shortly after 10 p.m. Central Standard Time, CNN announced Obama was projected to be the next president of the United States. A thunderous roar stretched across the streets of Chicago. To my right, a group of 20-year-old white men were jumping up and down and hugging each other. To my left, a middle-aged black couple embraced each other while the female sobbed. Behind me, a man in his late 50s pumped his fist and yelled in excitement. To me, that is the essence of Barack Obama and his campaign. Obama has shown this country that beyond race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation and political affiliation lies a common humanity in which peace, hope, love and equality are ideals that can actually be lived out. He challenges us to care, inspires us to hope and empowers us to create positive change. Visit www.elon.edu/pendulum for his full account
McCain urges unity in concession speech Whitney Bossie News Editor Sen. John McCain conceded the presidential race to Sen. Barack Obama shortly after 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Tuesday night, congratulating the Democrat on his achievement. He addressed supporters from outside the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, urging them to move past their disappointment and join him in supporting Obama through the “difficult times” the country is facing. “I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face,” McCain said. The Republican senator conceded as polls closed on the West Coast, adding to Obama's electoral vote tally and
guaranteeing his victory. McCain stressed the historic significance of Obama's victory, noting the special significance that Obama’s victory holds for black Americans. Obama will become the 44th president of the United States and its first black leader. “Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country,” McCain said. McCain said Obama’s performance throughout “a contest as long and as difficult as this campaign has been” commanded respect. “My friends, we have come to end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly,” he said. He thanked his family, friends and supporters, as well as his
running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin. Palin accompanied McCain on stage, but did not speak. Of his running mate, McCain said she is “one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength.” As McCain commended Palin, TV cameras showed her with tears in her eyes. McCain expressed his gratitude for the “faith and friendship” of his supporters. “Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours,” he told the crowd, which erupted into chants of “John McCain.” The crowd of supporters booed at almost every mention of Obama or Joe Biden, but McCain urged them to unite
as Americans and support the future administration. “I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering 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.” Above all, McCain promised to remain faithful to his country. “Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant.”