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Part of Obama Wins Presidency, November 5, 2008

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By STEPHANIE SCIANDRA
Editor in Chief

Late Tuesday evening, Sen. John
McCain placed a phone call to Sen. Barack
Obama, officially bringing the election for
the 44th U.S. president to a close.
Obama clinched the election around 11
p.m., making him the first black president
of the United States.
Soon after, Obama spoke in Chicago.
The president-elect took the stage at 11:59
p.m., addressing an estimated crowd of
125,000 in Grant Park.
"This is our moment," Obama told the
mass of supporters. "This is our time
to put our people back to work and
open doors of opportunity for our kids; to
restore prosperity and promote the cause
of peace; to reclaim the American Dream
and reaffirm that fundamental truth­
that out of many, we are one; that while we
breathe, we hope, and where we are met
with cynicism and doubt, and those who
tell us that we can't, we will respond
with that timeless creed that sums
up the spirit of a people: 'Yes we
can.'"
Obama won the key battle­
ground states that previously
allowed the Republicans to secure
a close victory in 2004 - Virginia,
Ohio, Florida, Nevada and Colo­
rado. Iowa and New Mexico, two
traditionally Republican states,
were also turned blue Tuesday
evening.
Key to Obama's victory were
the swing states of Pennsylvania
and New Hampshire, two states
both candidates battled fiercely
for.
"I will never forget who this vic­
tory truly belongs to," Obama said. "It
belongs to you."
The president-elect cited the power of
the younger generation as a driving force
in his victory and thanked his supporters,
campaign staff, family and Vice Presi­
dent-elect Joe Biden.
"I know you didn't do this just to win
an election and I know you didn't do it
for me," Obama told the crowd. "You
did it because you understand the enor-

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Map accurate as of 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 5

will never forget who this victory truly
belongs to. It belongs to you.

"

- PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA

mity ofthe taskthat lies ahead."
Obama honored
McCain, noting his
service to the country and a hard-fought
race fought bothby the Arizona senator
and his running mate Sarah Palin. He
then extended his gratitude to McCain
supporters, citing an intention to serve
them and earn their trust.
"If there is anyone out there who still
doubts that America is a place where all
things are possible, who still wonders if
the dream of our founders is alive in our
time, who still questions the power of
our democracy, tonight is your answer,"
Obama said. ".... And to those Americans
who's support I have yet to earn, I may
not have won your vote tonight, but I hear
your voices. I need your help and I will be
your president too."
Shortly after Obama was announced as
the projected winner, McCain conceded
at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.
"I had the honor ofcalling Sen. Barack
Obama to congratulate him on being
elected the next president of the coun­
try we both love," McCain said. "I
urge all Americans who supported me
to join me in not just congratulating
[Obama], but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort
to find ways to come together."
McCain took Texas, West Vir­
ginia, Georgia, South Carolina,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas,
North Dakota, Kansas, Wyoming,
South Dakota, Oklahoma, Ten­
nessee, Idaho, Kentucky, and his
home state ofArizona.
Also late Tuesday night, Presi­
dent George W. Bush congratu­
lated Obama on his victory and con­
soled McCain, telling him, "John,
you gave it your all," according to a
CBS news report.
On campus, students were highly sup­
portive of the new president-elect.
Rob D'Agostino, a junior finance major
from Lockport, N.Y., voted for Obama and
was happy with the outcome of the elec­
tion.
"I think that it's great for the country,
I think [Obama] has a great vision for the
see PRESIDENT page 8

Andrew Werner / The Spectrum

Ekua Mends-Aidoo, a senior exercise science major, cheered on President-el ect
Barack Obama with the Black Student Union in Goodyear Hall Tuesday night as
the sena tor took Ohio, the state where Mends-Aidqo had been· going door to
door to garner support last weeke nd. "All th at work," she sa id as telebra ti ons
resonated throughout the crowded lounge. "All we reall y need is Ohio."

'That's historical in itself'
PRESIDENT from page 1

future," D'Agostino said. "I think
[Obama] has a lot of courage and
he's very easy to... agree with. It
seems like he's good for us right
now."
Other students, like Tallheeda
Scott, a sophomore psychology
major, cited the historical signif­
icance of Obama's victory.
"To see an African-American
make it this far...that's histori-

cal in itself," Scott said prior to
McCain's concession.
For many college students, this
was first opportunity to vote in a
presidential election. Students
like Eric Yeung, a senior business
major, believe it's important for
young people to voice their opin­
ions during elections, especially
during a presidential election.
"I believe young people of our
generation should actu'ally step
up at this time," Yeung said.
"It's important for the students
to elect the· president who will
serve them for the next couple
years, especially because some of
us will be graduating."
Mavis Ampem, a senior bio­
logical sciences major, voted for
the first time in a presidential
election on Tuesday. She, like
many students, felt it was espe­
cially important to take advan­
tage of the opportunity to voice
her opinion.
"This is my first time, I wanted my vote to count," Ampem
said. "I think it's time for a good
change to happen."
. Students like Sefinee Hqrac_e,
a junior health and human ser­
vices major, believe that while
Obama's virtory may be historic,
he's also the right candidate for
the position.
.
"It's not even becausei he's
black, but because he is the right
person to be president," Horace
said.
.
Also in contest for the presidency were Roger Calero and
Alyson Kennedy of the Socialist
Workers party, Gloria LaRiva
and Eugene.Puryear of the Party
for
Socialism and Liberation,
Cynthia McKinney and Rpsa
Clemente ofthe Grren Party, Bob
•Barr and Wayne Root of the Libertarian Party and Ralph Nader
and Matt Gonzalez of the Populist Party.
1

Additional reporting by
Leslie Church, News Editor
E-mail: spectrum-eic@buffalo.edu