THE OBAMA NATION
Brandon Wall
Issue date: 11/10/08 Section: News
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Obama coasted to victory with a relatively large margin in the electoral college over his opponent Sen. John McCain by 364-162 with 12 electoral votes still pending.
He was able to secure a wide lead by employing a 50 state strategy, in which campaigning efforts were set up across the nation and not just in traditional 'battleground' states. This tactic proved effective for Obama, who was able to capture ten states that voted for George W. Bush in 2004. Obama was able to flip three states that have not voted for a Democrat in a presidential election since 1964 and 1976: Virginia, Indiana and North Carolina respectively.
Sen. McCain offered a gracious concession speech from Phoenix, AZ. Alongside Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and with their families close behind, McCain spoke before a crowd of supporters. "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in [...] offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find a way to come together."
Shortly after 11 p.m. CST, the president-elect took the stage in Grant Park before 250,000 supporters. His speech began with similar overtones to his 2004 address at the Democratic National Convention.
After thanking a plethora of people, he turned his focus towards the 63 million people who casted votes for him. "Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington; it began in the backyards of Des Moines. [...] It was build by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause."
Obama's next task will be to assemble his cabinet and staff. Illinois state representative Rahm Emanuel has already been pegged as the president-elect's Chief of Staff. Longtime Obama advisor David Axelrod will be a Senior Advisor to the administration, much like Karl Rove's job in the Bush administration.
As for John McCain, politicians on both sides of the aisle see the Arizona Senator playing a prominent role in the years to come. "There's a need for the old John McCain, a leader who worked in a bipartisan way," said Sen. Chuck Shumer, D-N.Y.
McCain is the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, a position that could lend him considerable influence over any plan for an Iraq withdrawal. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., would "love to see McCain work with President Obama in dealing with Iraq in a way that Republicans and Democrats could agree on."
This election broke a number of records. An estimated 125-137 million people voted, the most people ever in a U.S. presidential election. Overall, the turnout rate was the highest it has been in 100 years. 64.1 percent of the voting population turned out on Nov. 4. 60.7 percent of the electorate voted in 2004.
The youth vote (ages 18-29) was long considered a vital component to Obama's campaign. The group split 66-32 in favor of Obama; overall the nation split 52-46 for the Illinois senator. This was the largest margin from this age group since 1972, when 18-21 year olds earned the right to vote.
Total turnout numbers and percentages are not yet available but are expected to be the second highest since 1972.
Barack Obama will be inaugurated on Jan. 20 in Washington D.C.
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