My First Election

This was the first time I had really followed an election. The last election was between John Kerry and George W. Bush. I was 11 and barely remember any information. This time around things were much different for me. I have been following the campaign and chosen my candidate since the primaries.

I tried my best to see the other candidates with an open mind, but I liked Obama. When the 4Th rolled around I was anxious. I watched the results poor in. I started watching at 6pm mountain time. the results were around 90-100 for Obama and 30-60 for McCain. I switched in and out of the results and at around 8:30 I really tuned in. I watched Obama's score climb into the 200's and McCain's start to rise as well. Most of the new results were more red states, but their electoral vote numbers were mostly low. McCain reached about the 120-135 mark and I started to get a little nervous. The news switched briefly to local results and it was announced that the associated press and given Florida to Obama. My nerves were relaxed. It changed back to the national results and immediately the announcer said "It's Over." Obama's picture was on the screen with the words Barack Obama The 44Th President of The United States of America. I was shocked. They showed the picture of the new results that seemed to come in within almost an instant. The ENTIRE west coast had turned blue and shot Obama into the 280's.

The entire world seemed to smile in approval. They showed people in the street hugging, crying, laughing, rejoicing, and a crowd started to chant "YES WE DID, YES WE DID." This was their response to Obama's saying of "yes we can."

When the screen turned to the headquarters in Arizona, John McCain came on stage to give his gracious consession . The people were sad, angry, and most of all disappointed with the loss but, John McCain said, "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. "

He wanted the people who had grown so apart during this campaign to come together. And that's what I saw. I saw millions of people with hope in their eyes, looking up and thinking about what could and what will come. The people of these united states finally united for change. I have never felt this sense of hope within my political self. I have never before had this feeling of faith in my country. And for that, I would to thank President Elect Barack Obama.

From now on I am an active citizen of The United States of America.