With the highest turnout rate since 1908 and most expensive presidential campaign budget ever this election has already achieved landmark status in U.S. history.
For Pepperdine students Obama’s victory ushers great hope uncertainty and apprehension. The win corresponds with the results of a Graphic campus-wide election day poll of more than 1000 students and faculty members which also named Obama the victor (46 percent voted for Obama 40 percent voted for McCain nine percent did not vote and five percent voted for another candidate).
Obama’s victory carries monumental significance for many black students.
“It’s a huge hope – we can’t even put into words what this means for the black community to have a black man as president said senior Carmelle Nesbitt. It says a lot about the mindset of our generation – we want change [and are] tired of Republican policy.”
For Kendria Smith president of Pepperdine’s Black Student Association Obama’s win brought tears of joy. With a mother and grandmother who lived through integration in the South Smith’s family vividly remembers the pain of racial discrimination.
“It means so much to me because I feel like a lot of times as an African-American not only at Pepperdine but in the world in general people tend to group you in a category as a minority or as not being able to achieve as much said Smith, whose family was featured in the CNN documentary Black in America” this summer.
Smith said she looks forward to the day when she can tell her child “You can become the president of the United States.”
For Max Smith who works at Freshens smoothie bar in the Sandbar the news represents momentous opportunity.
“This is a giant step forward for race and brotherhood in America Smith said. It just shows me that if you try hard enough you can do anything. You can be anything.”
But for senior Sara Ward who interned this summer at Obama’s Congressional office in D.C. the win comes with fear for the president elect’s safety.
“I’m praying a lot for him because he has a lot of threats Ward said. I’m very cognitive that lots of people don’t want him in office.”
For many Obama’s victory also signifies the power of youth in directing the future of the nation.
“It really means a passing of the torch to our generation said freshman Devon Walker, who volunteered at an Obama campaign phone bank and donated to the campaign.
Walker said Obama’s campaign has been so inspiring that he decided to switch his major to political science.
[Obama’s campaign and win has] given me a lot of clarity about where I want our country to go and the future of our country he said.
With only a six-point differential between Obama and McCain voters on campus, according to the Graphic poll, McCain’s loss was a disappointment for many students. Republican students said they fear threats to America’s security and economy with Obama in office.
I feel uneasy that America picked the more inexperienced candidate said junior Julian Tooma. I’m with Joe the Plumber – when you earn your money you deserve to keep it.”
For sophomore SGA senator Daelan Blankfein who said he considered McCain too moderate for his conservative politics Obama’s liberalism is alarming. He said he hopes Obama abides by his promise to reach across the aisle.
Some Republicans feel voters made an ill-informed choice.
“I was very surprised that Americans would elect a candidate based solely on his rhetoric rather than examining his actual achievement and his record said senior Ben Seale, who is on the College Republicans’ executive board.
Ryan Sawtelle, president of College Republicans, wrote in a mass Facebook message to group members, [It is] dangerous that a man so far to the opposite side of the principles on which this country was built will be leader of the free world come January.”
However he also encouraged students to take the high road following the election by assuring Republicans that Obama’s election “isn’t the death our country.” He urged disgruntled students not to wear black in mourning or “sink to that level that the level sunk to in 2000 and 2004 with ‘Not My President’ bumper stickers and other lowball attacks.”
Sawtelle also expressed dissatisfaction with “conservatism as we’ve known it through Bush or McCain.” He charges Bush with abandoning conservative principles by expanding government rather than promoting limited economic and social policies.
Even many Republicans compliment Obama’s campaign.
“I thought Obama ran one of the most brilliant campaigns that I’ve seen … He beat the two most powerful political machines in America – the Clintons and the conservative right and he managed to make them both look stupid said senior Brenden Rhead, who voted for McCain. I think that’s a good sign for his presidency. He might be effective in taking us in the wrong direction but I think he’s going to be a very effective president”
Sawtelle and Seale Romney supporters both said they disapproved of the pick of McCain for the nomination.
“I think it would have been a much better chance for Mitt Romney to win than McCain Seale said. McCain ran a weak campaign and he was a weak candidate.”
Seale also noted that he expects Romney to run again in 2012. He hopes that the election of the first black president may help the nation look beyond a candidate’s background and re-consider a Mormon.
Despite disappointment many students who supported McCain said they are willing to give Obama a chance.
“I’m good with it said junior Jeff Wohbgemuth. I want to give him a shot – see what he can do.”