Obama started his victory speech Tuesday night, “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.” And as he and his supporters began celebrating, many began quoting the line from the movie “V for Vendetta,” “Remember, remember the Fifth of November.” Certainly, it was a date to remember.
Obama’s victory was sealed when Senator McCain conceded the presidential race around midnight of November 4, 2008 after Obama’s projected lead of 303 to 155. McCain assured his supporters, “My friends, we have, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on … being elected the next president of the country that we both love.”
There is no telling what lies in the future, whether conservative cynicism towards Obama will be confirmed through the destruction of America’s economy or whether Obama will accomplish his vision of “change.” One thing is certain; America is not going to be the same. With the election victory of not only a Democratic White House but also a Democratic Congress, the light of the Democratic Party is beginning to shine through the toxic haze created by the previous domination of Republican policy. Although this does not automatically mean unhindered passage of Obama’s policies plan after plan, but there is a strong possibility of legislation with strong Democratic positions. To say the least, Obama envisions instilling positive change in America and returning it to glory. He continues to reinforce this with his common anaphora that emanates throughout his speeches, “Yes we can.”
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there.
As Barack Obama stated, “The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there. There will be ¬setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years—block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.”
After addressing and thanking all of his loved ones and campaign mates, Obama emphasized that this victory was merely the chance to instill change. A very generous bulk of his victory speech, four minutes and twelve seconds, was utilized to address the doubts his skeptics held.
Obama announced his candidacy to NBC’s Tim Russert on October 22, 2006, while sitting as the Democratic senator of Illinois. By the time the Secret Service started protecting Senator Obama in March 2007, the campaign to win the Democratic primaries was in full swing. After out-raising more campaign funds than Clinton at the end of the second quarter in June 2007, the primaries officially kicked off at the New Hampshire primaries. Slowly gaining momentum in the beginning, Obama finally overtook Clinton’s 100 super delegate vote lead in May 2008. After winning the Democratic nomination for presidential candidacy in August 2008, Obama went on to campaign hard against McCain. Appealing to the voter masses through his way with words, charisma, and presence, Obama won over the electorate in a heated, very polarized political war with McCain over the past few months. And now, November 4 marks a historic day in black history with the election of the first black president. Although some might say November 4 also marks the day in which America made a choice that adversely (or even immensely) affected itself.
At this time in our country’s history, we should remember the words of President-Elect Barack Obama, “This is our moment. 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 doubts 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.”