President-elect has been swift to begin transition process as McCain considers future role. It was a day of pride and disappointment, tears of joy and defeat Wednesday as the historic election of Barack Obama also meant the failure of John McCain to become the 44th president.
“It’s amazing how so many people were so excited about Obama as president even around here, where most people are republican and conservative,” said Micah Schluter, a senior civil engineering major.
From Washington, D.C., and Atlanta to Detroit and Las Angeles, crowds danced in the streets, wept and halted traffic as they reveled in Obama’s success at massive rallies that took place across the country.
The election of Obama as the first black president drew many to celebrate the day as a racial milestone for the country, and many said it could lead to the racial wounds in the US to heal.
“I’m way happy,” said Thomasina Wright from New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. “It means that I can tell my seven grandchildren that they have a chance to be president.”
For those who experienced the civil rights movement - struggling for the right to vote - seeing a black man elected president meant seeing a long standing dream come true. “To see this happening is unbelievable - we’ve got the first black president. A black president!” Said Mike Lewis, whose eyes were welling up with tears as he watched election results at Cincinnati’s fountain square. “It’s not cured now, but this is a step to curing this country of racism. This is a big giant step forward toward getting the country together.”
Rep. John Lewis D GA, a leading figure of the civil rights movement, said that after being beaten and bloodied in a march 40 years ago, it was hard to fathom that he voted for Obama.
This is a great night,” Lewis said at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Rev. Martin Luther King had preached. “It is an unbelievable night. It is a night of thanksgiving.”
For some however, it was a night of ambiguity over the future. Schluter has doubts over Obama’s experience, because he enters with 4 years in the senate. “His biggest experience he’s ever had is 2 years in the senate and 2 years running for president.” Schluter said. “I don’t know if that’s enough experience to be president.”
Kelvin Singleton a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said the election became too focused on the history - not the present events affecting the country. “History is great, making history is great, but it did become more or less about the history and other causes more so than the actual politics,” he said.
Kelvin Singleton a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said the election became too focused on the history - not the present events affecting the country. “History is great, making history is great, but it did become more or less about the history and other causes more so than the actual politics,” he said.
Obama: Moving Forward
Obama did not take much time to celebrate his victory as he quickly began executing his transition into the white house. He began by offering the position of Chief of Staff to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Illinois, on Wednesday, according to several democrats.
In selecting Emanuel, Obama would bring another Chicago democrat with him to the white house. Thought he has represented Chicago in the house since 2002, Emanuel has a reputation as a strategist. He is widely credited as the orchestrator of the democrats congressional takeover in 2006 and was an aide to former president Clinton.
Emanuel has accepted the post.
The Obama team faces a formidable task in the transition, having to decide who will fill hundreds of positions with the inauguration looming 10 weeks away. The team is lead by John Podesta, President Clintons former Chief of Staff; and Valerie Jarrett, a long time friend and advisor to Obama.
In his concession speech McCain said of president-elect Obama “I pledge to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.”
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