However, despite strong concerns questioning the maturity of the American democracy, election results has made a decisive answer and showed voters readiness for change and their response to Obama’s slogan for his election campaign ‘Yes we can’. Baring in mine of the racial concerns, Obama has deliberately addressed those still may not easily ingest what had happened. At his victory speech, Obama stated that, "If there is anyone out there, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.” (David Usborne November 2008). All this changes are happening in a country where just fifty years ago, Obama would fine difficult to be served in a restaurant or to choose his desired place in a public transport as an ordinary citizen let alone of becoming statesman. It was just 1963 when The famous American Civil Rights movement leader, Dr King has delivered his famous speech (I have a dream), and the 2008 elections were a true realisation of Dr Kings dream according to Andy McFarlane of the BBC (Nov, 2008).
On the other hand, another amazing significance of the 2008 election was the turnout records and the fund racing techniques used by the Obama camp. The Democratic Party has managed to take the most secure and traditional Republican States including Indiana and Virginia, as well as other vital States for every winning president like Florida and Ohio. This huge swing in the voting norms has given Obama majority of 349 votes in the Electoral Collage against 162 for Mr McCain, a landslide victory. (David Usborne, November 2008). The turnout record of this election throughout the country was also another significant factor and all records showed that the turnout score was set to break records and become the highest in the past forty years. (GIE HABERMAN, November 2008). Other significant aspect of the 2008 presidential contest, from the turnout angle, was the unprecedented turnout of black community and youngsters. Black Africans came out overwhelmingly and at most areas, the record was on or around 90% mainly due to the fact of having black candidate on the ballot ticket for the first time in history. Whereas youths turnout set a modern record as Washington Post quoted from Peter Levine of Tufts University. The highest likely increase amongst youngsters was from 17% to 18%; while the recorded young voters has reached 66% increase to Obama and 32% to his rival republican runner. (Valerie Richardson, November 2008)
Another impressive feature of the 2008 election was the way in which Obama has managed to fund his long-lasted and costly campaign. His team succeeded to accomplish generous donations from every sector of the American citizens. Using all modern technology IE, Internet, text messages and mobile phones, and accepting as little as Dollar tens and twenties, the Obama team has sometimes raced a million and half just a matter of hours, and overall, the Obama funding was three times higher than his Republican counterpart. This has gave Obama a confidence to reject the state funding while his rival runner was forced to get hand from the text payers direct money. (Brian Mooney, June 2008).
On top of all those aforementioned, the 2008 election have also had a spiritual significance. As Dr. Smith argued, “The reproach is lifted” and new chapter has began for the black Americans, (February 2008). As mentioned in one of the Bibles (Genesis 9: 24-29) there are some rooted beliefs suggesting that the black race is said to be cursed and their destiny is determined to be servants and do the hard bit of everything throughout their live in the past and indeed to the present day. Dr Smith argues that this election has proved all these wrong and people only misinterpreted religious guidance to justify their arrogance. Even if Obama do not win the 2008 election, the notion of setting a precedent and being mottle inspiring black people and underprivileged races has already achieved.
In the concluding remarks of this tremendously vital and historic issue, few points got to be highlighted. In general, American elections are not merely domestic US issue. Its results always extend to the wider world and therefore international community, regardless of their geographical location, religious belief or political philosophy take a deep breath and anticipate its results. With every meaning of the word, the 2008 elections has been, without argument, more than just choosing one man rather than the other. Americans were given a tough choice either to make a real change, not politically only, but socially and historically. They decided to reconcile with their past, prepare for their future and show their determination that they really want a change and justice. Having a black president in the White House for the first time ever was not easy, and has made people in and outside the US to shed tears and find difficult to swallow the dramatic events of having Obama declaring his interest to run, winning primaries over Hillary and the overwhelming majority voted for him throughout the States regardless of their colour or social background. Although President Barak Obama is facing a tough challenges at all fronts, and people have great expectations on him, and there are some concerns he might not be able to fulfil all his promises, the 2008 elections which brought Obama to power will remain in our minds and in the history books, extremely significant and historic event by all means even if President Obama fails to fulfil most of his pledges. All in all, Obama’s election and the day of his presidency has been a long time coming, and how long this process had taken would definitely depend on where and which stop someone would count from starting from America’s 1776 independence date to the 2008 Obama election. But without a shadow of a doubt, the 2008 election has changed America and so much history has changed just one night.
Bibliography:
1. Andy. McFarlane. (November 5th, 2008). BBC News Can Obama inspire young Britons?.
2. Ari. Melber. (January 2008). Obama, Race and the Presidency. The Nation.
Available at: www.thenation.com/doc/20080107/melber_web
Brian C. Mooney. (June 2008) In a shift, Obama rejects public funding. Boston Globe, June 20th.
3. David. Usborne. (November 2008). Barack Obama wins his place in history - Americas, World. The Independent
4. GIE HABERMAN. (November 5th, 2008). BARACK OBAMA WINS THE PRESIDENCY. New York post.
5. Gamal Al-Ghitany. (December 8th, 2008). Social Significance of Obama's Election. - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
6. Patricia, Hoskins. (November 5th, 2008). A dream come true. BBC Election coverage.
Available:www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/11/05/a_dream_come_true_feature.shtml
7. Science Letter. (Feb 24, 2009): Examining the Meaning of the Election: Spiritual Significance of the Obama Presidency.".
8. Valerie Richardson. (November 6, 2008). Blacks, youths turn out; vote record holds. Washington Times.
Mohamed H Mohamoud
5th June, 2009
