University of Wisconsin-Madison
Barack Obama
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dailycardinal.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
44th U.S. President Elect
‘THIS IS YOUR VICTORY’ F
or President-elect Barack Obama, the path to change began 21 months ago on a grassroots scale as a relatively unknown, unfunded and unendorsed candidate. But in a country bitterly divided, Obama hitched his star to an unyielding mantra of hope and unity—and as his ideals took root in the hearts of Americans, he began to rise. For many, the stalwart New York Sen. Hillary Clinton was a foregone conclusion for the Democratic nomination, but the underdog Obama battled divisive circumstances and endured a lengthy, grueling primary campaign to emerge not just the Democratic nominee, but a national icon and symbol of hope. On the national stage, he faced a formidable GOP war hero in Arizona Sen. John McCain, whose political experience dwarfed that of Obama’s. But as the stock market crumbled and the economy plummeted, Obama’s plan for the United States captured the trust and confidence of the American people, who responded emphatically at the polls. Over the course of our nation’s 232-year history, racial prejudice and intolerance have, at times, been defining characteristics. On November 4th, 2008, the United States voted in staggering numbers to elect President Barack Obama, the first black president in our country’s history. This election will be marked by record-breaking fundraising efforts, voter turnout and an impassioned youth demographic, but most significantly by the nation’s decision to break the racial barrier and elect a black man to the highest, most revered position in our democracy—no longer a dream deferred, but a dream secured. After this historic achievement, President Barack Obama will face monumental challenges, including repairing the economy, addressing our war presence and—perhaps most importantly—fulfilling his promise to unite our government and serve the American people regardless of party lines.
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