Thoughts on the 2008 Election

As I've said before, "You've done it, America! Germany is celebrating with you."

These words sum up the hopes and dreams of one of America's strongest allies in Europe and also the world. After waiting nearly two years since the candidates began announcing their candidacies we finally have a man to call our 44th President.

Poll after poll of residents of foreign countries shows a common theme: People said in a 3-or-4-to 1 margin that Obama is the man who can give the world hope, and prove that the American people are less ignorant and bigoted than once thought. I myself have been quite harsh in my opinion of my own people, but am slowly coming to terms with the truth: a new generation has dawned in America. This new generation is not afraid of racial, religious or partisan barriers, and in fact is willing to elect a man they believe is more qualified, regardless of the color of his skin. Exit polls showed that in this election, while race mattered to some people, the candidate's age was more of a concern among voters. Many, including myself, thought that the Bradley Effect would possibly rear its ugly head again, but no such thing happened. We voted for the right man at the right time.

I especially enjoyed browsing through the many trends during the past three elections. This year, Hispanics went 67% for Obama - this compared with the 53% John Kerry managed four years ago. A focus on this mammoth minority group helped him win states like New Mexico, Nevada and Florida. His pre-election focus on suburbia (82 million people in cities of 100,000 or more) paid off in states like Virginia, North Carolina and even Ohio, all of which went for Bush four years ago. And young Americans (18-29 years old), who went 66% for Obama compared with 54% four years ago, helped propel Obama even in many rural areas of Indiana, Colorado and Wisconsin, among others. In fact, when compared with John Kerry in 2004, Obama did better among all voter groups (all income groups, all races, and even among republicans, etc.) except two: gays/lesbians and those over 65 years of age.

After promising a "seemless transition" of power from himself to President-Elect Obama, President Bush has thus far made good on his word. Monday he and his wife Laura gave the Obamas a personal tour of the White House, which concluded with a meeting between Bush and Obama. Will both men be willing, for the next 70 days, to put aside differences and work together for a successful transition in a time when the American people need solutions to the ongoing crises? Both have said they're willing to put aside party politics, but we shall see how it plays out.

The election of President-Elect Barack Obama represents to me a fresh start in a time when America's place on the world stage has been jeopardized, and our image tarnished. World leaders, such as Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Nicolas Sarkozy have announced that they are prepared to work with an Obama Administration to solve the problems facing the world. This is important to me because I hope to have the chance to travel to and make friends from many countries in the remote parts of the world, and without good relations with these countries this cannot be easily done. Obama for me is a charismatic figure, an organized man who is ready to listen to the American people. He is young, dynamic and intelligent. And plays basketball to boot.

During the next 70 days I would like to see President Bush continue to execute a graceful exit, which may limit the bitter taste most Americans have for the his administration. Current polls show that President Bush's approval rating has fallen to 24%, but I am confident that by working together with Obama the two can come up with a solution to the failing US auto industry and the rest of the battered economy. This should be the focus of President Bush in his last days in office, because even during the election last week we saw that an overwhelming majority of Americans consider the economy to be the #1 issue.