The Marquette Tribune - Nov. 5th, 2008 - Special Election Edition

SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION

THE MARQUETTE TRIBUNE Volume 93, Number 21

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

www.marquettetribune.org

BARACK OBAMA ELECTED 44TH PRESIDENT

Photo by Morry Gash/Associated Press

President-elect Barack Obama waves after giving his acceptance speech at Grant Park in Chicago. The election results were announced at approximately 10 p.m. Tuesday. As of press time, Obama had received 349 of the 538 electoral votes. He needed 270 electoral votes to win the race. In Wisconsin, 64 percent of voters ages 18 to 29 voted Democratic, according to exit polls.

Illinois senator to serve as country’s first black commander-in-chief

By Ashley Niedringhaus and Jack Kelly ashley.niedringhaus@marquette.edu jack.kelly@marquette.edu

“The new dawn of American leadership is at hand.”

On Nov. 4, 2008, as Barack Obama accepted the presidency of the United States, he told the world that change has come to America. In the most historic election of our generation, Obama became the first black, as well as the youngest, president-elect.

Obama’s election completed a full shift of power in the House and Senate, giving Democrats full control of both legislative and executive branches for the first time since 1994.

In what Arizona Sen. John Mc-

Cain called “the most challenging campaign in modern times,” he could not escape the shadow of the Bush administration and the Republican image. McCain failed to maintain control of traditionally “red” states, including highly contested Ohio and Florida. In a key step to victory, Obama took control of seven formerly Republican states that brought in 86 electoral votes.

Colorado and Virginia, two states that were reclaimed by the Democrats, had a 44-year Republican voting streak.

This truly was an election for change. The election was more than just political parties and campaign platforms. The winner of the election would inherit two wars abroad and the biggest finan-

cial crisis since the Great Depression.

It all started with Ohio.

Leading up to Election Day, all eyes were on Ohio, one of seven battleground states, as both Obama and McCain fought fiercely for its 20 electoral votes. Obama eventually edged out McCain by only three percentage points.

Historically blue Pennsylvania, and its 21 electoral votes, was another “must win” for both candidates in their race to the necessary 270. Obama claimed Pennsylvania with 55 percent of the total vote, delivering a major blow to McCain.

“McCain had hopes of flipping Pennsylvania,” said John McAdams, associate professor of political science. “McCain’s failure to win Pennsylvania and Ohio indicated it was over.”

Some argued that for McCain, the race to the White House would be a difficult battle.

INSIDE THE TRIBUNE Students race through Raynor Library and around campus following the results.

PAGE 8

See full results of yesterday’s elections.

PAGE 6

Congresswoman Gwen Moore is re-elected for her third term.

PAGE 11

“Being a Republican in this climate meant you were facing an uphill battle,” said Julia Azari, assistant professor of political science. “Attributing the failure of this election to the McCain campaign is not entirely fair.”

But McCain did keep it closer than some expected. McAdams said the election “wasn’t a blowout.”

Kirsten Kukowski, communications director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, stressed the impact of the economic crisis.

“The economy had a lot to do with the outcome,” Kukowski said. “America is facing a tough economic time. We are hoping America can hope together, and hoping that Obama can lead us in a new direction.”

McAdams also stressed the importance and key role of the economic crisis.

“The stock market crash really, really hurt McCain,” he said. “He

also made the tactical error of suspending his campaign (to deal with the crisis).”

Obama’s platform of change, fresh take on Washington politics and carefully constructed campaign helped him to victory on Election Day.

TODAY’S WEATHER

INDEX

High 70 Low 50

Mostly Sunny

Complete weather PAGE 2

The Road to Election Day Obama’s road to the White House began in Springfield, Ill., on the steps of the State Capitol, where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous “A House Divided” speech in 1858.

Nearly 150 years after Lincoln’s speech, on that symbolic site, Obama officially announced his candidacy for president of the United States.

Obama’s message of change started early. After serving as community organizer on Chicago’s South Side, he attended Harvard See Obama, page 12

VIEWPOINTS ............................. 2 VOTING ..................................... 3 STUDENT GROUPS .................. 5 RESULTS ................................6-7 CAMPUS REACTION ................ 8 LOCAL RESULTS .................... 10

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VIEWPOINTS

TRIBUNE

Six-Day Forecast

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

Wed.

Thu.

Fri.

Sat.

Mon.

Tue.

70/55

62/45

47/35

42/33

39/31

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STAFF EDITORIAL

COLUMN

Voting not enough From the mountains, for ‘perfect union’ to the prairies...

The marathon for the White House has finally come to an end, after months upon months of campaigning, conventions, fundraising and advertising. But we urge voters not to shelve until 2012 the issues this election highlighted.

We congratulate Obama on his victory. More importantly, we applaud American voters for going to the polls in record numbers to make this the election of a lifetime.

But when the voting booths are returned to storage, the confetti and balloons are trashed and the oath of office is sworn, this country remains at a precipice.

The United States is in a recession and our economic woes have only compounded the global economic crisis. It has become increasingly difficult for borrowers to obtain loans and mortgages. We are fighting two wars in the Middle East, and threats to our security remain. So while we’ve finally selected our next president, there is still much work to be done.

Marquette Tribune readers have selected the following issues as among the most important of the election. We go further to argue that these issues are some of the most important of our lifetimes.

They must not be forgotten or ignored simply because the campaign season has come to a close.

Economy Given that Obama is taking office during a recession, his administration will likely be credited with — or blamed for — whatever economic situation the country faces four years from now. During the campaign, both presidential candidates pledged to reign in spending and balance the budget. Obama will need to aggressively pursue that proposal if he wants to improve the country’s financial situation.

Further, voters should carefully watch how the government’s $700 billion bailout of financial institutions is handled. The financial rescue package is being put together with taxpayer dollars, and voters must not write the federal government a blank check.

We need to ensure our money is spent wisely to aid homeowners and to help banks begin lending again. That way voters — particularly students — will have access to the credit market, which will assist them in purchasing their first cars and homes and in paying off student loans.

Energy and Environment Voters of every party and political stripe can agree that our nation’s dependence on oil is troubling. We urge young voters to buy smart and consider gas mileage and fuel emissions — when they purchase vehicles. Don’t forget the campaign promises to “go green.” Begin introducing green practices into your daily lives in small doses and hound elected officials to fund the research and development needed to find alternative energy sources.

Saving our planet cannot be done in one fell swoop. Protecting the environment will take the concerted efforts of every American.

Iraq The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have largely been shoved from the front pages of the nation’s newspapers due to economic troubles and energy woes. But the men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day should not be forgotten.Obama has promised to set a timeline for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, in order to re-focus the war on terror where it began — in Afghanistan.

The war in Iraq is undoubtedly a hot-button issue. But regardless of voters’ personal stances on the war, they should remind Obama of his campaign promises regarding the war’s end.

Countless other issues face our nation, from health care to education to social issues to immigration, and none of these issues will disappear when Obama takes the oath of office on Jan. 20. For the next four years, it is up to us to hold Obama and his administration responsible for the direction in which they take our nation. We must unfailingly work toward that “more perfect union” the Constitution proclaims America should be.

Jim McLaughlin Could it be? Is it really true?

I don’t want to jinx anything, but I think after two years of campaigning, mudslinging, exaggerating, villainizing, politicking, scandal mongering, pig-lipsticking, assassinationplotting, whiskey-shot-taking, curveballing, YouTube-ing, campaign shopping, vote stumping, will.i.am remixing, celebrity endorsing and Tina Fey-ing, the 2008 presidential election is at long last…

OVER!!!

Maybe now there will be some more real news instead of pseudo-news about Joe the Plumber’s licensure.

Now that the confetti’s been swept away and the champagne spills have been mopped up, the morning-after nostalgia has begun to set in.

Having psyched myself up for the last few months, I woke up yesterday at 7:30 a.m., Christmas-morning excited to cast my ballot. I expected my first time voting in a presidential election to be accompanied by trumpet fanfares and rockets’ red glares and maybe the Founding Fathers looking down from heaven, nodding in approval.

Instead, it was just two hours in line and a little attitude from the poll workers.

Slightly disheartened, I walked out of the Alumni Memorial Union and made my

way to Starbucks to get my While I was in line for those free coffee (CNBC estimated two hours, I talked to several the company would lose $2.25 interesting people. One was million in revenue for the day’s an ex-Vietnam vet who talked handouts) and start my day of about the draft and his military nonstop election coverage for service. Another was a woman the Tribune’s special election who felt so compelled by the section. Shortly thereafter, I intensity of this election that for spilled the coffee and, worst the first time she opted to work of all, my “I Voted” sticker fell the polls Tuesday. Students off, leaving me ineligible for all had many different ideas about the free stuff offered to voters, what the election’s most crucial including Ben & Jerry’s ice issues were and how to solve cream, Krispy Kreme donuts, them, but most agreed that inbeer, combo meals, bottles of formation about the candidates champagne, tatand the issues too removals, was more widely reduced zoo ad- Well, no matter available to votmission, and… who they supported ers this year than ahem, uh, adult Tuesday, Americans ever before. toys.

Seven years Feeling like I should feel one heck ago, author Robwas in a Charlie of a bond with one ert D. Putnam Brown movie another because for wrote a book or the title char- two years, we’ve had called “Bowling acter in “James Alone: The Coland the Terrible, a constant conversa- lapse and RevivHorrible, No tion topic. al of American Good, Very Bad C o m m u n i t y. ” Election Day,” I The book is about sulked as I interviewed election how Americans no longer feel workers and voters. But being connected to one another. He constantly bombarded by eager calls it social capital. citizens, it was impossible to Well, no matter who they stay grumpy. supported on Tuesday, AmeriEverywhere were signs telling cans should feel one heck of a people where and how to vote. bond with one another because Posters hung in students’ win- for two years, we’ve had a condows — both for John McCain stant conversation topic. For and for Barack Obama. I talked two years, people have ponto a community organizer who dered aloud to each other what said 400 high school students the outcome would be. And two in Racine were going door-to- years later, the world still has door, encouraging neighbors to its eyes on our fantastic nation. get to their polling stations and We the American people are even offering free transporta- members of a coveted group, tion there. It was even charm- and I think that’s something we ing (for the first hour) to hear can all agree on. cars honking in support of their james.mclaughlin@marquette.edu candidate.

STATEMENT OF OPINION POLICY

The opinions expressed in staff editorials reflect the opinion of THE MARQUETTE TRIBUNE editorial board.

The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators. Opinions represented in columns, letters to the editor and submitted viewpoints are those of the writer(s).

THE TRIBUNE prints guest submissions at its discretion. THE TRIBUNE strives to give all sides of an issue an equal voice over the course of a reasonable time period. An author’s contribution will not be published more than once in a four-week period. Submissions with obvious relevance to the Marquette community will be given priority consideration.

Viewpoint submissions should be limited to 400 words. Letters to the editor should be no more than 150 words. THE TRIBUNE reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content.

Please e-mail submissions to: muviewpoints@yahoo.com. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school. If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your current city of residence. No anonymous submissions will be printed.

STAFF LIST UPDATED AS OF NOVEMBER 5TH, 2008 @ 8:00 P.M. CST THE MARQUETTE TRIBUNE

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor-in-Chief (288-5610) Phil Caruso Managing Editor (288-7246) Alli Kerfeld

CAMPUS NEWS (288-5198) Editor Christopher Placek Assistant Editor Molly Newman Copy Editor Sara Martinez Administration Jeff Engel MUSG Roger Lopez DPS Erin McGrath Events & Organizations Marie Gentile Part-time Reporter Dan Kraynak OFF-CAMPUS NEWS (288-7294) Editor Kaitlin Kovach Assistant Editor Sarah Milnar

Copy Editor Lizzie Mytty Higher Education Michael Murphy MKE Metro Jack Kelly Religion & Social Justice Brooke McEwen Wisconsin Metro Kaleigh Ward General News Ashley Niedringhaus EDITORIAL PAGE (288-6969) Editor Megan Hupp Editorial Writer Andrea Tarrell Columnists Lindsay Fiori, Megan Hren, Jim McLaughlin, Charlie Puckett, Robbie Wiedie, Peter Hejny MARQUEE (288-6747) Editor Rincey Abraham Assistant Editor Kevin Mueller Reporters Molly Gamble, Becky Simo

SPORTS (288-6964) Editor John Borneman Assistant Editor Nick Bullock Copy Editors Tim Kraft, Rosemary Lane Reporters Robby Douthitt, David Peltz, Pete Worth Part-time Reporter Paul Thorson SENIOR REPORTER James Teats VISUAL CONTENT (288-1702) Editor Terri Sheridan Assistant Editor James A. Molnar Designers Alex Stoxen (part-time news), John Marston (part-time Marquee), Sarah Krasin (full-time sports), Trent Carlson (part-time sports) Graphics Editor Maureen Murray Photo Editor Lauren Stoxen

Photographers Therese Bowes, Ryan Glazier, Dylan Huebner

Veronica Rodriguez, Libby Shean, Peter Wagoner

Online Editor Erica Bail Online Assistant Editor Kellie Bramlet (not exclusively Tribune)

Classified Assistants Emily Dixon, Anthony Esh, Rebecca O’Malley Account Executives Nicole Brander, Ben Burns, Lauren Frey, Casey Lembke, Kate Meehan, Camille Rudolf, Jake Schlater, Paul Thibaudeau, Sara Johnson

STUDENT MEDIA INTERACTIVE (288-3038) Director John Luetke

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Advertising Director (288-1739) Maureen Kearney Sales Manager (288-1738) Monse Huerta Creative Director Ali Babineau Art Director Dominique Divito Classified Manager Katy Schneider Graphic Designers Kari Grunman,

THE MARQUETTE TRIBUNE is a wholly owned prop-

erty of Marquette University, the publisher. THE TRIBUNE serves as a student voice for the university and gives students publishing experience and practice in journalism, advertising, and management and allied disciplines. THE TRIBUNE is written, edited, produced and operated solely by students with the encouragement and advice of the advisor and business manager, who are university employees.

THE TRIBUNE is normally published Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, during the academic year by Marquette Student Media, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881. First copy of paper is free; additional copies are $1 each. Subscription rate: $50 annually. Phone: (414) 288-7246. Fax: (414) 288-3998. Email: tribune@marquette.edu.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

NEWS

TRIBUNE

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Performance art encourages voters My Vote performs at 11 polling locations

By Jeff Engel jeffrey.engel@marquette.edu

“Oh dear, what can the matter be?� sang the woman in an oldfashioned dress. “Women are wanting to vote.�

Voters outside Central LibraryCentennial Hall, 733 N. 8th St., were welcomed to their polling place yesterday evening by “Suffragium,� a performance art project that included jazz singing and a video documenting historical events in American voting.

Singer Annie Denison served as a “living sculpture,� said friend Jill Sebastian, a Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design sculpture professor who came up with the idea for “Suffragium.� Sebastian enlisted the help of Denison, who performed on the steps of the library.

The performance was one of 11 that occurred at polling locations throughout Milwaukee. My Vote Performs, a non-partisan organi-

zation, produced the projects.

The purpose of MVP is to encourage voting, said Laura Maker, a volunteer for the group. “It’s about civic involvement and getting your voice heard,�

Maker said.

The State Elections Board (now the Government Accountability Board) and the Milwaukee Election Commission approved MVP, Maker said. The commission also approved each project concept and its polling site.

Inside the library, a video presentation of animated Milwaukee Public Library sculptures and historical factoids greeted voters as they headed to the polls. “Reconsidering this history in Wisconsin reveals how fragile and precious our right to vote continues to be,� read the project description on Sebastian’s sign.

Denison said the 2008 presidential election is the most important election of she and her children’s lifetimes. “I have seen today that kids are voting,� Denison said. “I’m so proud of my country right now.�

Photo by Therese Bowes/therese.bowes@marquette.edu

Around 2,300 students voted in the Alumni Memorial Union, while 2,050 voted at Central Library. Students and voters arrived as early as 6:40 a.m. to cast their votes in the 2008 presidential election.

Polling places experience few problems First-time voters make voices heard

By Marie Gentile and Jeff Engel marie.gentile@marquette.edu jeffrey.engel@marquette.edu

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Students wait in line in the Alumni Memorial Union third floor ballrooms to vote. Only a few minor problems were encountered by voters.

Edison Media Research for media organizations, 68 percent of voters between the ages of 18 and 24 supported Obama and 30 percent voted for McCain.

In an effort to make Election Day go smoothly, Marquette students, faculty and staff worked to register students in advance.

Roughly 1,500 students registered before Nov. 4, according to Steve Schultz, manager of governmental and community affairs in the Office of Public Affairs.

As of Oct. 31, 86 percent of youth had pre-registered for theelection, a 3 percent increase from the 2004 presidential election, according to a Gallup poll.

Matt Willems, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration, volunteered as an election observer at the Central Library. He said he saw many pre-registered students at the polls. “They’ve done a good job registering students on campus,� Willems said. “It’s pretty impressive.

Overall, there’s been a good effort to make registration available to everyone.�

Aria DeBenny, a freshman in the College of Communication, registered in the Cobeen Hall lobby in October. She said it was easy to register and that the student volunteers were helpful.

The polling locations at the AMU

and Central Library experienced a few minor problems involving voters’ confusion about where to vote and having the necessary identification for registration. However, Schultz said that overall, voting went smoothly Tuesday. “I think things went very well. It was very orderly,� Schultz said. “It went as fast as possible given all the checks and balances within the voting system.�

Schultz observed both polling places throughout the day. He said both locations had a heavy turnout early in the day, then tapered off.

The final tally of voters at Central Library was around 2,050, while the AMU had around 2,300.

Schultz said he was extremely impressed by Marquette students’ enthusiasm and participation in the election. “As members of the Marquette community we’d like our students to be part of the political process,�

Schultz said. “We’re thrilled to see how they’ve turned out and that they’ve exercised their right to vote. We’re hoping that this is something they take forward with them once they graduate.â€? â–˛

Read the Trib

Five minutes before the polls closed, a Marquette freshman sprinted to her polling location near campus to cast her vote in yesterday’s presidential election.

Kimberly Campbell, a freshman in the College of Business Administration, was the last voter at Central Library Centennial Hall, 733 N. 8th St. Campbell was still undecided throughout the day, but felt it was necessary to make her voice heard. “Every vote counts, whether it’s one in a million or one in a dozen,�

Campbell said. “I believe it’s important to vote if you’re going to have any say in the government.�

Like many other Marquette students, Campbell voted in her first presidential election yesterday.

Freddy Terrazas, a freshman in the College of Health Sciences, arrived at the polls in the Alumni Memorial Union at 6:40 a.m. to cast his vote. “Not only is it my first election, but it’s one of the most monumental elections in United States history,� Terrazas said.

Another first-time voter, Kelly L’Esperance, said it is everyone’s duty as an American citizen to exercise his or her right to vote. “You’re not allowed to complain if you don’t vote,� said L’Esperance, a freshman in the College of Health Sciences. “We’re the next generation, and this election will affect us more than other people. We have to take the opportunity (to vote).�

Alison Wessendorf, a graduate student in the College of Health Sciences, voted in her second presidential election. She said voting this year was important because of the many critical issues at stake. “There’s lots of issues that will have an effect in the future, like health care, Social Security and the war (in Iraq),� Wessendorf said. “I think the election has shown young people how they can have an impact with their votes.�

Janet Boles, professor of political science, said she believed the youth vote would benefit Barack Obama more than John McCain.

In exit polling conducted by

Video www.MARQUETTETRIBUNE.org

Check out the Tribune Web site for a video of campus voting locations.

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NEWS

TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

Why did you choose to vote?

“It is a right that you have in this country and that other countries don’t.�

-Michael Chapman, junior, College of Business Administration

“I voted to be civically responsible.�

“I voted because I believe in Barack Obama.�

“It is my right and I care about who is elected.�

-Chelsea Du Fresne, freshman, College of Arts & Sciences

-Bryan Miguel, freshman, College of Communication

-Ashley Reed, 4th year, School of Dentistry

“A lot of things need to be changed, one being the economy. We need change.�

-Thomas Fera, freshman, College of Business Administration

“Because there are people in the world that don’t have this right and it is our privilege.�

-Kelly Krol, junior, College of Nursing

“It is important to exercise my right and have a say.�

“It’s something new.

I didn’t do it before.�

“You have the right and you must exercise it.�

-Jessica Green, senior, College of Health Sciences

-Patrick Kurish, junior, College of Communication

-Jon Newman, freshman, College of Engineering

Reporting and photos by Rupali Varma, Andrei Greska, Ross Geiger/Special to the Tribune | Graphic by Terri Sheridan/terri.sheridan@marquette.edu

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

NEWS

TRIBUNE

5

College Democrats celebrate big victory Students look for change following historic presidential election win

By Erin McGrath erin.mcgrath@marquette.edu

It’s 8:51 p.m. on Election Night and the Marquette chapter of Students for Obama is cluttered in lawn chairs around a small television in a St. James Court basement office.

The light chatter at the apartment building, 831 W. Wisconsin Ave., is cut by stark silence as the popular vote update flashes across the screen, announcing that Sen. Barack Obama is in the lead. The students had been working tirelessly up until the last possible minute for the Obama campaign, and were now anxiously waiting to see if their work paid off.

“A half-hour ago I was sprinting from door-to-door asking people if they voted because I wasn’t sure if we were winning Wisconsin,” said Kathleen Scott, a junior in the College of Communication and deputy field organizer for Students for Obama. “Now I’m pretty confident because it’s looking really good for us. To go from that to this is surreal.”

The Obama campaign gave Students for Obama the basement of the apartment building on Friday to use as its student headquarters. There isn’t a spot on the wall that isn’t covered with an Obama poster, and each student in the office is heavily decorated with Obama regalia.

“If Obama doesn’t win, I’m fleeing to Canada,” said Melissa Vermillion, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences. “I missed class all day working on the election and making phone calls. The past few days I’ve been freaking out, but right now I’m feeling really good.”

Shortly after 9 p.m., Obama is projected as the winner of New Mexico and the students immediately flip from eager to elated.

A few hugs are exchanged as they start to gather their things to move to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave., where they will celebrate with the rest of Milwaukee’s Obama supporters.

Scott and her crew can barely move in the ballroom, which is overflowing with an assembly of supporters of different ages and colors. Shortly after 10 p.m., the room erupts with screams, tears and hugs as election returns indicate Obama has more than the necessary 270 electoral votes needed to win.

As the crowd celebrates, Scott can be spotted standing still in disbelief with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“All of the hard work paid off.

I feel so relieved,” Scott said.

“It feels like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. The mix of people here is incredible.

This is what I want America to be like all the time!”

Liz Bailey, a junior in the Col-

Photo by Ryan Glazier/ryan.glazier@marquette.edu

The Marquette chapter of Students for Obama gathered in St. James Court to view election results prior to meeting other Obama supporters to witness President-elect Obama address the crowd at Grant Park in Chicago.

lege of Health Sciences, said Obama’s victory was “unreal.”

“It’s so inspirational to see all of these people here. It’s a testament to what his campaign was (about),” Bailey said.

For these students, who had made campaigning a priority, the victory was both personal and emotional.

“To me, this really means change,” said Doug Hynes, a graduate student in the College of Engineering and member of Students for Obama. “I feel that having Barack in office will make so many changes that I can’t even begin to name them.”

The chaos calms as the reality of the evening’s historical event

sets in. The students exchange congratulations and long hugs with faces of sincere joy.

“I wanted to find a president who I could be proud of again,” Hynes said. “I feel that I found that in Obama and it’s awesome that so many others share that feeling with me.”

College Republicans join Wisconsin GOP for election results At that time, the popular vote was still about even, but the allimportant Electoral College count favored Sen. Barack Obama. He led 195-70, according to projections airing on television sets

By Dan Kraynak throughout the room. That lead dan.kraynak@marquette.edu included Wisconsin’s 11 electoral Spirits were high and excite- votes.

Most of the other members of ment filled the air as Marquette College Republicans joined the the College Republicans arrived Wisconsin GOP Election Night at the viewing party closer to Party while polls were closing 10 p.m. after an evening of poll watching. Matt Dambach, the across the state.

The party at the Country Students for McCain Marquette Springs Hotel in Pewaukee offi- chapter chair, said he knew Mccially kicked off at 8 p.m. Sarah Cain’s chances of winning the Bartlett, the College Republicans' election looked bleak.

“About an hour ago I was opdirector of communications and a junior in the College of Commu- timistic, but it’s not looking very nication, was the first Marquette good right now,” said Dambach, a senior in the College of Arts student to arrive on the scene. & Sciences.

After a long “Right after we day of vot- “President-elect Obama lost Ohio, I being and mak- spoke a lot about unity on gan to think it ing volunteer the campaign trail. I hope he was pretty much phone calls at is able to follow through and over.” the McCain Just before 10 headquarters unify the country, because p.m., McCain in Waukesha, our country is at its best Bartlett was when all Americans are work- trailed Obama in the projected optimistic as ing together — Republicans electoral vote early returns and Democrats alike.” were coming Matt Dambach count 220-120.

Dambach said Students for McCain Marquette chair in.

McCain would “I’m excited, need to win evI'm nervous, but I'm also very confident,” ery toss-up state left to pull off a Bartlett said. “The popular vote victory.

“Basically, it will take a mirais even at about 10 million votes each, but it’s still too early to cle,” Dambach said.

Patrick Sholl, a junior in the be delving too deeply into emoCollege of Business Administrations.”

At 9 p.m., the ballroom was tion, was another College Repubfilled with supporters of Sen. lican running low on optimism John McCain. However, the ex- shortly before 10 p.m.

“It’s not over, but the map citement in the room began to dedoesn't look particularly good cline soon after.

Optimism dims as evening draws on

Photo by Therese Bowes/therese.bowes@marquette.edu

A disappointed John McCain supporter reflects on the evening’s results at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee.

right now,” Sholl said. “I’m a little disappointed. We've put a lot of hard work towards this campaign.”

At 10:05 p.m., the results became official. “Obama Elected President” flashed across the two projection screens in the ballroom, which seemed to evaporate any last rays of hope still lingering in the crowd.

Dambach didn’t hesitate to congratulate President-elect Obama.

“I wish him the best of luck in the next four years. He ran a very good campaign,” Dambach said.

“President-elect Obama spoke a lot about unity on the campaign trail. I hope he is able to follow through and unify the country, because our country is at its best when all Americans are working together — Republicans and Democrats alike,” Dambach said.

Matt Rossetto, a College Republican and freshman in the College of Communication, said that he plans on giving Obama his full support and hopes Obama will follow through on his plans for taking the country in a new direction.

“I think it’s pretty clear that the American people have given President-elect Obama a mandate and bought into his promise for change,” Rossetto said.

Although the vast majority of people left the viewing party disappointed, Bartlett put things into perspective just before heading back to campus.

“We’re Americans first and Republicans second. At the end of the day, that is what’s important,” Bartlett said. “We need to appreciate this historic moment in time.”

6

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PRESIDENT MONTANA McCain: 50.9% Obama: 45.9%

WA

Precincts reporting: 88%

MT

OR

ND MN

ID SD

WY NV

WI IA

NE

UT CA

IL

CO KS AZ

MO

OK

NM

AK MS TX

LA

AK

TEXAS

HI

McCain: 55.4% Obama: 43.9%

ALASKA McCain: 61.9% Obama: 35.9%

Precincts reporting: 99%

Precincts reporting: 81%

MISSOURI McCain’s home state

ARIZONA McCain: 53.7% Obama: 45.1% Precincts reporting: 98%

McCain: 49.5% Obama: 49.3% Precincts reporting: 100%

Obama’s hom

ILLINOIS

McCain: 37.7% Obama: 61%

Precincts reporting

WS

WISCONSIN

INDIANA

County by county

McCain: 49% Obama: 49.9% Precincts reporting: 99%

ME VT

NH

NY

MI

MA CT

PA

NJ

OH

IN

RI

MILWAUKEE

DE WV KY

MD

VA

Broken down by county

NC

TN

%

g: 96%

GA

DODGE COUNTY

RACINE COUNTY

FOND DU LAC COUNTY

ROCK COUNTY

JEFFERSON COUNTY

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY

KENOSHA COUNTY

WALWORTH COUNTY

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

WASHINGTON COUNTY

OZAUKEE COUNTY

WAUKESHA COUNTY

McCain 53.9% Obama 44.9% 100% reporting

SC

me state

SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN

VIRGINIA McCain: 47.3% Obama: 51.8% Precincts reporting: 99%

FL

McCain 45.5% Obama 53.4% 92% reporting

McCain 53.9% Obama 44.9% 100% reporting

McCain 34.6% Obama 64% 100% reporting

McCain 49.5% Obama 49.3% 97% reporting

McCain 49.7% Obama 49% 100% reporting

McCain 39.8% Obama 58.9% 95% reporting

McCain 50.7% Obama 48.1% 100% reporting

McCain 33.2% Obama 65.7% 99% reporting

McCain 64.3% Obama 34.6% 100% reporting

McCain 60.2% Obama 38.8% 96% reporting

GEORGIA

All re

sults

from

Ass ocia

ted P

McCain: 53% Obama: 46.3% Precincts reporting: 98%

ress a

NORTH CAROLINA McCain: 49.6% Obama: 49.8% Precincts reporting: 100%

McCain 62.4% Obama 36.7% 100% reporting

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FULL RESULTSFULL RESULTSFULL RESULTSFULL RESULTS

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7

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8

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

Campus celebration hits the streets Students run through dorms and buildings

By Sarah Milnar sarah.milnar@marquette.edu

Photo by Ryan Glazier/ryan.glazier@marquette.edu

Student supporters of Barack Obama gather in the middle of Wisconsin Avenue last night in celebration of the Illinois senator’s victory. Students also ran through residence halls, Olin Engineering Center and Raynor Library.

Beth Russo, a senior in the College of Education, said she immediately knew Obama had locked the vote when she heard screams emitting from the rooms upstairs. Russo said she then heard residents rumble down the stairs, through the hallway and out the door.

As the crowd went by, Russo said she saw a sole McCain supporter hugging a McCain poster held to his chest.

He wasn’t saying a word, “almost in disbelief,” she said.

Students working at the Circulation Desk at Raynor Library said they heard the crowd charging down the street and weren’t surprised when students entered the library.

Students came through the lobby taking pictures and screaming “Obama!” said Natasha Eslami, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

“It was very inspiring but some people got mad,” Eslami said.

Leslie McGrath, a senior in the College of Nursing who also works at the desk, said one library-goer yelled at the roaring students to “get the f*** out of the library.”

Both McCain and Obama supporters were met with profanity and vulgar name-calling as they raged through campus.

Sean Ivers, a junior in the College of Communication, said someone told him to “f*** off” as he and his friends expressed their delight in Obama’s election by chanting and banging on a metal pot.

“We decided we needed to hit the streets,” Ivers said. “I brought a pot to make noise to exemplify how excited I am.”

Ivers and his friends marched from 17th Street to the Obama party at the Hyatt. There Ivers

started a chant that he said the crowd echoed: “I don’t know what I’ve been told; George Bush is getting old; I don’t care what Republicans say; Barack Obama’s gonna save the day.”

Mary Walz-Chojnacki, a Marquette alumna, said she and her children attended the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave. She stopped her car on Wisconsin Avenue to honk at Obamasupporting passersby.

“We’re totally celebrating our time for change and we’re totally psyched,” Walz-Chojnacki said.

But not everyone was so spirited about Obama’s victory.

Sumeet Uttamchandani, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences, said he wished America had chosen someone with more foreign policy experience and first hand military experience. Uttamchandani is from New York and knew 15 people who died

on Sept. 11. But he said he recognizes students’ right to parade through the streets.

“As much as I don’t like it, the fact is they have this freedom,” Uttamchandani said. “All soldiers died and gave them this freedom.

I hope they recognize that. I’m happy they have the right to get out and do what they do.”

Uttamchandani added that he hopes no one died in vain. At this point, he said he hopes Obama will do the right thing.

“Now I have to be supportive of Obama,” he said. “I don’t have a choice.”

▲

Chanting and banging on drums, hundreds of students thundered through the streets last night expressing their support of Barack Obama, the next president of the United States.

Students crammed into cars plastered with posters and sped down Wisconsin Avenue. Other students ran out onto the streets, darting and dashing through the cars that honked in approval. Still others linked arms and skipped down the street singing.

Patriotic chants of “U.S.A.” rang through the air.

“Let’s do this every day for the next four years,” a faceless student screamed from the depths of the crowd.

His declaration was followed by an eruption of cheers.

The horde of students began at McCormick Hall and ran toward the Alumni Memorial Union.

They flowed out onto Wisconsin Avenue and rallied in the street between 15th Street and Olin Engineering Center. The group continued through the lobby of Raynor Library and back through Schroeder Hall. They proceeded to 16th Street and Wells Street, then back to McCormick. The group went back for round two through the AMU and the library and down to Straz Tower Hall.

Many students said they didn’t know exactly what was going on, but just followed the crowd and the immense commotion.

Hiriam Bradley, a freshman in the College of Communication, led the crowd with friends Andrew Fowler, a freshman in the College of Education, and Kiarri McBroom, a freshman in the college of Arts & Sciences.

The pack-leaders said they kept a close eye on incoming poll results from their rooms in McCormick.

“The margin was so big we just had to come out here and lead the pack,” Bradley said.

“We’re all for change,” McBroom added. “We just wanted to be here for a change.”

McCormick desk receptionists

Video www.MARQUETTETRIBUNE.org

Check out the Tribune Web site for a video of students running through campus.

Photo by Ryan Glazier/ryan.glazier@marquette.edu

Students parade down Wells Street in reaction to Barack Obama’s appointment as the 44th President of the United States. Student workers at Raynor Library and McCormick Hall reported a stampede of excited students running past and bystanders expressed mixed reactions.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

NEWS

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9

Photos by Lauren Stoxen/lauren.stoxen@marquette.edu

Hundreds of Milwaukee Obama campaign members, volunteers and supporters gathered to watch Obama make his first televised speech as president-elect at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. It was an emotional experience for many of those who gathered there.

Milwaukee celebrates Obama victory City’s supporters declare, ‘Yes we can’ downtown

By Brooke McEwen brooke.mcewen@marquette.edu

▲

As Election Day came to a close, excited chatter filled the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave., where hundreds of Milwaukee Obama campaign members, volunteers and supporters gathered to watch their efforts materialize in the election results.

Campaign members waited with bated breath for the final results of their months of labor.

The crowd-swollen room periodically burst into animated chants of, “O-ba-ma!

O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma!”

As the results came in, campaign volunteers and supporters learned Obama had not only won Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, but had also taken Iowa and the important swing state of Florida. Anticipation mounted.

Chris Spehert, an Obama campaign volunteer, said he had spent the last couple of months helping the campaign. Spehert said he knocked on doors for nine hours in Greenfield, Wis., to “get out the vote” on Election Day. As a long-time Democratic Party supporter, Spehert said he noticed more support for Obama than for other Democratic campaigns in his past volunteering experience.

“Obama’s a different kind of candidate,” Spehert said.

Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore won the election for her third term and spoke at the party.

“We have an amazing candidate for president,” Moore said before the final results came in. “Let me tell you something, as I walked around Milwaukee today I have never seen so many people taking shift after shift at knocking on doors.”

Mary Anne Cavadias, a campaign volunteer, said she decided to volunteer for Obama’s campaign because of his mantra of change.

As large televisions displayed Obama’s increasing lead, Cavadias erupted into fits of “Obama” cheers.

Moore said, “Let me tell you something, this proves something. This proves that ordinary people can be the change that they want to see in the world. This young man stepped up to this challenge.

We’ve got to be there for him.”

According to the Associated Press, the results of preliminary exit polls showed that one-third of voters said the quality that mattered most was a candidate’s stance on change, Obama’s enduring

campaign slogan.

Lisa Rowe, a campaign volunteer and Sarah Palin impersonator, sported a red business suit, sleek glasses and a hairdo that rivaled that of the Alaska governor.

“I just wanted to do something to win people over with humor,” Rowe said.

The Palin pretender clutched a sign that read, “Alaska Governors for Obama. I changed my mind for Obama.”

The clock approached the 10 o’clock hour and the sea of fans erupted into waves of excitement as Obama was named president-elect.

Supporters and volunteers danced, hugged, sobbed, smiled and screamed.

A table of young voters danced and shouted, “Landslide! Landslide! Landslide!”

American optimism permeated the room. Voices uttered, “Yes we can.” The crowd’s words grew and resonated through the room, “Yes we can!”

Henrietta Smith, a campaign volunteer, while dancing for joy said, “I am just elated! I have never been so happy in my life!”

Smith said she knocked on doors for four hours on Monday, encouraging citizens to vote.

“I can’t wait to see Michelle Obama as the first lady,” Smith said.

The television flashed images of Obama’s celebration in Chicago. Energy and enthusiasm electrified the room.

“I think it’s a great, great day for people all over America,” Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl said. “This is a victory not of a party but of a country. It’s gonna bring about a period of unity in this country.”

Sarah Kikkert, a campaign volunteer and freshman in the College of Communication, said she supported Obama for more Photo by Lauren Stoxen/lauren.stoxen@marquette.edu than just his eloquent speaking style.

“Somebody pinch me,” said Deborah Paige, an Evangelist minister from Milwaukee, as she celebrated “As cliché; as it sounds, we Obama’s victory at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. need change,” Kikkert said.

She said she values being part of a monumental election.

The election symbolizes how far Amer“At this defining moment change has Paula Hegwood, a campaign volun- ica has come, but we have to continue to come to America,” Obama said. teer and nurse at the Children’s Hospital work together, Hegwood said. of Wisconsin, said she just finished her Rosemary Lane contributed “I hope Obama will unite us all,” Hegshift and was on her way to Milwaukee’s wood said. “We have work to do and it to this report.

Obama celebration when she heard the starts with us.” news.

As the party began to wind down, “It was unbelievable,” Hegwood said. Obama echoed over the airwaves, “I was crying on my way here.”

“America is a place where all things are www.MARQUETTETRIBUNE.org She said she wonders what her dad and possible.”

Check out the Tribune Web her grandfather would have thought of site for a video of the Obama The crowd clapped, cheered and waved viewing party at the Hyatt. the historic day. their hands.

Video

10

TRIBUNE

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

Election results disappoint Republicans Local officials still optimistic about the party’s future

Photo by Therese Bowes/therese.bowes@marquette.edu

Marquette Tribune Advertising*

Wisconsin McCain supporters gathered together at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee to watch the results of the presidential election. One supporter shows her disappointment after McCain’s loss to Obama.

414.288.1739

▲

*we know good ads.

had to participate in some form of national test or curve, which would qualify them as educated voters.

“It is not about wanting to take votes away from people, it’s about making people understand the responsibility that is part of the process of voting,” Rivera said.

He said he has noticed that veterans represent the group that is most receptive to his political efforts.

By Kaleigh Ward “They understand that freekaleigh.ward@marquette.edu dom isn’t free, even when they Last night Republican Sen. are fighting for the freedoms of John McCain supporters from people that protest against them,” around Wisconsin gathered in a Rivera said. “They understand the ballroom at the Country Springs dynamics of this country.”

Ryan Mahony, deputy comHotel in Pewaukee. Two projecmunications director for the Retors displayed Fox News’ election publican Party of Wisconsin, said coverage while citizens of all age groups awaited the results of the his experience with this election has been good overall, though election.

Many influential public figures the result was not what the GOP spoke to the crowd, including At- wanted.

“I think the party tonight went torney General J.B. Van Hollen, chairman of the Republican Party well. It was open to the public and of Wisconsin Reince Priebus and the invitation was state-wide,” Congressmen Paul Ryan and Jim Mahony said.

He said his campaigning efforts Sensenbrenner.

The speakers remained hopeful were generally well-received, and continued to deliver inspiring with a few exceptions.

“In Madison specifically I had a messages to the members of their hard time, a lot party throughout the night.

“The Democrats ascended to of people gave me dirty looks In one of power tonight. We are going just for wearseveral short to need to work with them ing a McCain speeches, Van when we agree ... and when fleece,” MahoHollen said the we oppose them we have to ny said. “It just Republican Parpropose alternatives.” depends on the ty of Wisconsin area.” is not only alive Paul Ryan Joe Medina, and well, but 1st-District Congressman a minister in it is as strong, W a ukesha, if not stronger, said Waukesha than it ever has been.

“The strength of a party is built County is heavily Republican.

“I think we lost a lot of the Hisupon our ideas, the strength of a panic vote because we wanted to party is built upon our philosophy and the strength of a party is built stay away from the border issue,” upon our people,” Van Hollen Medina said. “I think that definitely hurt us.” said.

Medina said he is glad that so He said he operates independently as Wisconsin’s attorney many people have shared their general, but he is still a proud Re- opinions about the election.

Louis Young, a resident of Muspublican. kego, said he noticed that DemoIn his address to those in attendance, Priebus said the Republi- crats were much more aggressive can Party of Wisconsin has raised in this election.

“I just wish the state of Wisconand spent more money in this sin would make voter identificaelection than ever before.

“Everything is at stake in this tion more consistent and better election,” Priebus said. “Every- policed,” Young said. “It is very thing we believe in as a party is at lopsided. Sometimes there are different rules from city to city.” stake in this election.”

Mary Anne LeDuc Jarowski, Ryan said that Republicans are going to need to learn some les- a resident of Pewaukee, said she participated in campaigning this sons from this election.

“First of all stand up for what year for the first time because she you believe in,” he said. “Second believes this is the most important of all, don’t be afraid to take po- election of our lives.

“For the first time in my life I litical risks.” feel that our democracy was stoRyan said his party should not look back at this election as the len from us. We should pursue all time McCain lost. He said Re- possible avenues until we get to publicans should look back at the bottom of it,” Jarowski said.

She said she is disappointed this election and say it was the time Republicans turned things that U.S. citizens failed McCain.

She said he is a man that loves our around.

“The Democrats ascended to country, that supports the United power tonight,” Ryan said. “We States and its troops, and that are going to need to work with would do everything in his power them when we agree ... and when to protect all of us.

“I did not work on this camwe oppose them we have to propaign for myself, I did it for my pose alternatives.”

Perfecto Rivera of Milwaukee, children and my grandchildren who ran for U.S. Congress in ... and I am not going to stop,” 2006 and chairs Wisconsin’s Re- Jarowski said. publican Hispanic Assembly, said in general he thinks his political Rosemary Lane contributed to views have been well received.

“However, we are in a time and this report. age of new voters who don’t know the history and the foundation of this country. They often fall prey to a message or a messenger who www.MARQUETTETRIBUNE.org Check out the Tribune Web promises to make their lives easisite for a video of McCain er,” Rivera said. supporters from Wisconsin.

Rivera said he wishes voters

Video

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

TRIBUNE

11

4th District re-elects Gwen Moore Landslide victory over independent Michael LaForest

By Michael Murphy michael.g.murphy@marquette.edu

Congresswoman Gwen Moore was officially re-elected to her third term in her Fourth District position early Wednesday morning. Moore was the only person on the Milwaukee County ballot who ran opposed.

While Moore won by a landslide, receiving 88 percent of the vote over independent Michael D. LaForest, it was Moore’s reaction to Sen. Barack Obama winning the state of Wisconsin she sincerely seemed excited about.

“It’s over, it’s over!” Moore yelled as she ran around with tears in her eyes. “This shows this blue collar state really got it. People believe Obama cares about ordinary people like them. He identifies with them and he’s going to get the job done.”

Moore said she thinks Obama, who won Wisconsin by earning about 56 percent of the vote, has what it takes to be a great president.

“He has inherited some problems,” Moore said. “A terrible economy, two wars, terrible military situations on the horizons, global warming, but he was born for such a time.”

Moore also seemed to look forward to working through the democratic-controlled Congress.

“Certainly I don’t think a president like Obama is going to just role over for a liberal agenda,” Moore said. “I’m excited about having a working majority.”

Moore has even more to celebrate now that the Milwaukee Paid Sick Leave Referendum was overwhelmingly passed with 68 percent of the vote. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who believed it would cost the city jobs, heavily opposed the bill.

Since the referendum was passed on the ballot, Moore has stood behind paid sick days.

“About half of all workers nationwide have no paid sick days,” Moore said in a press release. “So when they get sick, they cannot

Photo by Lauren Stoxen/lauren.stoxen@marquette.edu

Local Democrats gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel to listen to Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Together, they celebrated Moore’s re-election to her third term and Obama’s victory.

afford to miss work and they drag themselves in anyways, infecting other coworkers who in turn spread it to others.”

While the entire Milwaukee

County ballot was made up of either a blow out or unopposed race, the Milwaukee County Sales Tax Referendum was only just approved by receiving 57 percent of

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the vote.

As listed on the ballot, now that this referendum has been passed, Wisconsin will grant Milwaukee County the authority to add an additional 1 percent to the county sales tax which will go towards, parks recreation culture, transit and emergency medical services.

This 1 percent will provide $67 million dollars of tax relief annually.

Neil Albrecht, executive director of the City of Milwaukee Board of Election, said he was very satisfied with how the election was run in Milwaukee.

“At around 10:30 p.m. a majority of our wards have reported in,” Albrecht said. “There have been no problems at any of our sites as to closing our sites or transmitting the election results to the central processing center.”

Albrecht, who has been standing in for Susan Edman since she broke her hip, explained how long it took to make the Milwaukee balloting process work as smoothly as possible.

“Preparation for the election of office starts a good year before the election,” Albrecht said.

“We all work long hours through the summer particularly in the months prior to the election.”

As Milwaukee’s polls came to a close, some people were surprised to see the results in Milwaukee, as well as Wisconsin overall.

Barrett McCormick, a professor of political science, said he was surprised about Obama’s large victory in Milwaukee, which earned about 76 percent of the vote.

“I think people not just in Milwaukee, but Wisconsin, thought Obama would do a better job with the economy and there was skepticism in (Sarah) Palin,” McCormick said.

While McCormick said he was surprised about the blowout by Obama in Milwaukee, he was very happy about the victory by Moore, who helped support a petition he helped organize at Marquette a few years ago. Not long after she received the petition she was arrested for protesting on the steps of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. “When she was escorted to the police car she told a reporter she was inspired to act by the students at her alma mater at MU,” McCormick said. “She is a good friend to Marquette.”

Rosemary Lane contributed to this report.

12

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

Photos by Associated Press

President-elect Barack Obama addresses his supporters at Grant Park in Chicago (top). Sen. John McCain (RAriz.) delivers his remarks at his rally in Phoenix, Ariz. (right). Close to a million supporters greeted Obama and Vice president-elect Joe Biden after the results were announced (left).

Obama Continued from page 1

Law School, where he earned his law degree and became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review.

Obama was elected to the Illinois state senate in 1996, where he spent eight years. On a national scale, Obama’s visibility exploded during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He gave a stirring keynote speech, in which he sought to break down party lines and unify the nation.

His appearance and performance at the DNC ignited speculation of where Obama fit in the Democratic Party, including the possibility of a future presidential run.

McCain’s bid for president began eight years ago.

In 2000, McCain was the top challenger against the eventual Republican nominee and current president George W. Bush. Prior to his campaign against Bush, McCain had served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives starting in 1982 and been Arizona senator since 1986. But despite a history of successful campaigns, McCain carried only seven states

and lost the 2000 Republican primary.

After the loss, McCain returned to the U.S. Senate, where he worked with Democratic Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold on the McCain-Feingold Act, a bipartisan bill that worked on campaign finance reform and fought to increase the role of soft money. McCain also supported Bush in his bid for re-election in 2004.

With current Vice President Dick Cheney not seeking election, the Republican race was up for grabs and on April 25, 2007, McCain officially announced his second bid for president.

McCain entered a race against 11 other candidates, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The Republican field was eventually narrowed to three main candidates — McCain, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In the first half of 2007, campaign finance issues plagued McCain. At the same time, both his campaign manager and chief strategist quit his campaign. As a result, McCain found himself coming in last in early polls. But resurgence came in the second half of 2007 and McCain became

a forerunner for the party nomination.

As 2008 rolled in, so did caucus season. Huckabee, the most traditionally conservative of the three, swept the Jan. 3 caucus in Iowa, with Romney claiming second and McCain tying Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson for third place with just 13 percent of the vote.

On Super Tuesday, after almost a month of continuously rising poll success, McCain claimed 60 percent of the necessary delegates needed to secure a nomination.

A week later, as his competition fizzled, Romney announced his resignation from the campaign.

Huckabee held on for another month but, after losing the remaining primaries on March 4, conceded victory to McCain.

As the Republican Party secured its nominee, it watched the Democrats fight for a decisive winner for another three months.

Obama’s possibility of a run for president came to fruition in 2007, when he emerged as one of frontrunners for the Democratic nomination, along with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

As the primaries got underway, some voters struggled to adjust to the idea of a black man as presi-

dent. But when Obama won the Iowa Caucus, voters started to believe that perhaps the junior senator from Illinois really could win the election.

But Obama’s campaign wasn’t without its rough spots. In midMarch, video of Obama’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, surfaced, in which the pastor radically criticized the United States. Obama underwent heavy scrutiny after the video was spread via the Internet and cable news programs.

Following a hard-fought, contentious and sometimes bitter campaign, Obama’s message of change trumped Clinton’s experience. Clinton ceded the nomination June 7 and the battle we’ve been watching for the last five months officially began.

Enter the running mates With only eight weeks until Election Day, both Obama and McCain finalized their ticket with strikingly different picks.

Obama selected Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential candidate on Aug. 23, giving assurance to those skeptical of Obama’s experience and foreign relations capabilities.

In late August, in an attempt to pick up female and conserva-

tive voters, McCain made a gutsy move, finalizing his ticket by choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Initially, Palin was not thought to be on McCain’s short list of candidates, which some predicted included former opponent Romney.

“Palin was initially selected to attract former Clinton and young voters but it didn’t seem like she did that,” Azari said. “The choice was considered hasty and that she was someone he chose without careful vetting. It questioned his decision-making process.”

Kukowski disagreed, citing excitement about Palin in the Republican Party.

“She is now a leader in the Republican Party,” she said. “I think we’ll be seeing her around again.”

McCain graciously bowed out of the race as he thanked his supporters, praised his opponent and vowed to continue to serve his country.

“The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly,” McCain said.

“These are difficult times for this country. I will do all in my power to help Obama lead.”