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| Barack Obama Tells Victory-Rally Crowd That 'Change Has Come To America' Posted: 04 Nov 2008 11:29 PM PST President-elect tells supporters in Chicago that his campaign 'grew strength from the young people.'
CHICAGO — "Yes we can." Those are the three simple words we've heard for nearly two years, the rallying cry of a campaign that turned a historic corner Tuesday night into a new era in American life. Those three words changed slightly to "Yes we did" under a chilly November sky in Grant Park. It was shouted from the lips of black, white, old, young, first-time voters and ones old enough to remember the harsh realities of a racially divided America. By the tens of thousands, they chanted it — some crying, some holding hands to their faces in disbelief, others clutching shivering children they brought along and kept up late to witness a new chapter in this country's history as the first black president strode onto a stage in front of 125,000 cheering supporters and pledged that the fight was not over.
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer," President-elect Barack Obama told a crowd that had steadily filled the city's lakefront over the course of the day. "It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference. "It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve, to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day." With a lyrical quality that clearly touched many in the crowd, Obama's speech sought to calm some of the raw nerves that had weltered in an often-bitter campaign with rival Senator John McCain. "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America," Obama said. As he basked in the glory of a moment some doubted he could reach, Obama praised McCain for running a tough race and honored the Arizona senator's dedication to his country. "I was never the likeliest candidate for this office," he said. "We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause." And in an election that saw what is believed to be a near-historic turnout, Obama also gave thanks to young voters, many of whom were key to his victory and who supported his message of a new path for the country. After several elections in which the youth vote failed to turn out in the numbers expected, Obama said this victory was one of hope over cynicism. "It grew strength from the young people, who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy, who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep." Despite the win, Obama said the job has only just begun. With two wars, a crippling financial crisis and an environment in peril, Obama reiterated that the victory is the first step. "The road ahead will be long," he said. "Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there." The elegance of Obama's words and his unlikely rise to the highest office in the land were celebrated on the field by Eryn Rodgers, whose face was streaked with tears as she thought of her forefathers who fought for civil rights for black Americans. "My family was very involved in civil rights, and I never thought I'd see this day," Rodgers, 18, said. "It reminds me of my grandparents, and I'm so glad this was my first election. It's a dream come true, and it will mean something to the world." Rodgers was grateful that she could be in Grant Park to witness Obama's victory, and she was proud that her fellow young voters played such a crucial part in the election. In the same spirit of inclusiveness that helped him win the White House, Obama called on those who did not support him to see past party lines and help put the country back on track. "To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president too," he said. As the crowd shouted, "Yes we can," along with their new president, Obama ended his speech with the kind of call to duty that marked a 21-month marathon that rarely wavered from its central themes of hope, change and the promise of a new way. "This is our time to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope," he said. "And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." MTV News was on the ground in all 50 states to cover this historic election, and now we want to hear from you! Share your voting experience and your reaction to the results in the comments area below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and comment. Related Videos Related Photos |
| John McCain Praises Barack Obama For 'Historic' Victory During Concession Speech Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:02 PM PST 'I will do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face,' McCain tells supporters in Phoenix.
PHOENIX — On April 25, 2007, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, John McCain officially announced his candidacy for president of the United States. On November 4, at precisely 9:18 p.m. PT, he officially ended it. Speaking before hometown supporters at the Arizona Biltmore, McCain conceded the race for president to Democrat Barack Obama, congratulating his opponent on a "historic" victory and praising his perseverance.
"My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly," McCain said. "A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love." At the mention of Obama's name, McCain's supporters booed and hissed, but he quickly silenced them, and after a pause, he spoke of Obama's ability to inspire disenfranchised voters and touted this election's special place in history. "That he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who once wrongly believed they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving," McCain continued. "This is a historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight." McCain — who was joined onstage by his wife, Cindy; his running mate, Sarah Palin; and Palin's husband, Todd — called on those who supported him to now throw their support behind Obama, a suggestion that was met with more catcalls from the crowd. Still, he pressed on. "Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt, many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight that I will do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face," McCain said. "I urge all Americans who supported me to join not only in congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and honest effort to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences." McCain's speech was delivered on the Biltmore's Squaw Peak Lawn, the same site where, 24 years earlier, he had married his wife Cindy. And, somewhat fittingly — given both the location and the enormity of the moment — he continuously returned to the theme of history in his words. "I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that too, but we both recognize that we have come a long way from the injustices that once stained our nations reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of citizenship," McCain said. "A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States." The speech was supposed to be an invite-only capper to McCain's triumphant night at the Biltmore, but as election results began to pour in, the outlook changed, and by 9 p.m., the lawn was opened to everyone attending the Election Night rally. As supporters poured out of the nearby Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom — where they had been entertained throughout the night by acts like Hank Williams Jr. and the Phoenix Boys Choir — to make the trek to the lawn, most were inconsolable, some even in tears. And though the mood on the lawn was sometimes sad and often angry — McCain's speech was interrupted by calls to "see Obama's birth certificate" on two occasions — some of his supporters seemed to recognize that, like their candidate, they had taken part in a historic election. And even if they came out on the losing end, they'll always have that feeling. Plus, with midterm elections just two years away, there's only so much time you can spend feeling sorry for yourselves. "It hasn't really hit me yet," Ashley Kazimer, 20, said. "I don't know, it was such a big election, and the Republican Party is going to need our support going forward. Just because it didn't turn out your way this time, you can't say, 'I'm over it,' and quit." "I thought John McCain was very gracious tonight, and I definitely agree with a lot of what he said, about how we need to move forward," Matt Salmon, 20, added. "I hear people talk about how they couldn't support Obama, but he is our president and I, like McCain, feel that we owe it to him to support him, whether or not we voted for him. We have to focus on being able to work across party lines and not be partisan. We need people who can work together, you know? United we stand." MTV News was on the ground in all 50 states to cover this historic election, and now we want to hear from you! Share your voting experience and your reaction to the results in the comments area below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and comment. Related Videos |
| It's History: Barack Obama Wins 2008 Presidential Election Posted: 05 Nov 2008 09:29 AM PST Key wins in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia sealed the deal for the Democrat's victory over John McCain.
Americans have spoken, and their collective voice has summoned for change. After years of ads, infomercials, primaries, debates and an online campaign that generated a groundswell of support among the nation's disaffected youth, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has defeated the Republican pick for president, Arizona Senator John McCain. The junior senator from the state of Illinois announced his candidacy 22 months ago, beginning his historic, barrier-busting bid for the nation's highest office. CNN called the election for Obama at 11 p.m. ET, as the polls closed on the West Coast. He will be America's 44th president. Content ID Obama is projected to receive enough electoral votes to pass the 270-vote threshold needed to secure the office. CNN projects he'll take California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii when all is said and done. During an event held in Chicago's Grant Park, attended by 100,000 Obama supporters, the nation's newly elected leader vowed to be honest about the challenges the country will face in the coming months and years. "The road ahead will be long," he said. "Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We, as a people, will get there." In his concession speech, McCain graciously accepted defeat, telling the faithful mass gathered in Phoenix that his words marked the end of a long journey. "I pledge to [Obama] tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face," McCain told the crowd. "Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant." No matter how the vote ended up, history was going to be made Tuesday (November 4). A victory for one ticket would have given the United States its oldest first-term president (McCain, who is 72) and first female vice president (Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin). The other would see the first African-American (Obama) moving into the White House and the first Roman Catholic (Senator Joseph Biden) to win the vice presidency. It also marks the first time two sitting senators vied for the post and the first time both major candidates were born outside the continental U.S. Obama was born in Hawaii, while McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone. But, ultimately, it was Obama who swept in to take the White House, netting some huge, unexpected wins early Tuesday evening. CNN called the ever-important battleground states of Pennsylvania (where McCain canvassed heavily in the final days of his campaign); Ohio (where voter turnout was estimated at more than 80 percent); and Virginia for Obama, which effectively spelled doom for his rival. Ohio was a seismic victory for Obama, considering the state's 20 electoral votes were critical to President Bush's re-election in 2004, and no Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio first. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, also known as CIRCLE, which promotes research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25, claims that voters between the ages of 18 and 29 represented 18 percent of all voters Tuesday. That's one point higher than in 1996, 2000 and 2004, when young voters represented 17 percent of voters. More precise data on the youth share of the vote will be released Wednesday. Obama also took Virginia, marking a historic shift in the state that was more than 40 years in the making. The last time Virginia voted for a Democrat was back in 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson was elected. Recent shifts in the state's demographics are believed to have helped Obama secure the win. The last two gubernatorial elections were won by Dems, as were the last senatorial elections. Voter turnout in the traditionally conservative state was massive, with 500,000 young people registering to vote in this year's election. Heading into Tuesday's election, Obama was leading McCain by 9 percentage points and will now claim the state's 13 electoral votes. MTV News is at the polls in all 50 states — check out our coverage all day long on MTV and right here on MTVNews.com. Then, tell us why you voted! Comment below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and a comment about your experience. Your message will appear on our election map and could appear on TV today! [This story was originally published at 11:26 pm E.T. on 11.4.2008] Related Videos Related Photos |
| Chicago Crowd Feels The Weight Of Barack Obama's Win Posted: 05 Nov 2008 01:18 AM PST 'This election will be one of the turning points in history,' one supporter says at packed victory rally.
It was in the abandon of the two teenage black girls doing a funky electric slide along with their new best friend, a sandy-haired college kid in an "Obamapalooza" T-shirt who clearly had not watched enough "Soul Train."
It was in the eyes of the black grandmother who clutched her granddaughter to her face as a montage played on the JumboTron hundreds of yards away, showing a rainbow parade of Americans who helped Senator Barack Obama win the presidency. The weight of history, while still heavy, seemed to lift a bit Tuesday night as the enormity of Obama's victory in the presidential race sunk in for the more than 100,000 gathered on Chicago's lakeshore. Cordell McGary II, 29, could feel it. "This is the most important election of my life," he said, holding his girlfriend tightly. "And not only because he's a person of color. He transcends all color, gender and origin. He's a man of principle who has withstood anything they threw at him. What we saw tonight was a sense of where this country should be going." His girlfriend, Nichole Cain, 28, saw an even bigger sign in Obama's win. "This election will be one of the turning points in history. It will take us in a positive direction to where this country should be." The sea of black, white, Asian, Latino, gay and lesbian faces all had one thing in common: With each state called for their candidate, they let out a throaty whoop that grew with intensity as the electoral-vote tally climbed toward the magic 270 figure. From the time they began running into the park shortly after 7 p.m. until the cordoned-off field was packed to capacity a few hours later, the revelers — many in homemade Obama shirts and hats, as well as a rainbow assortment of official "O" gear — treated the gathering as a coronation, well before any numbers had come in. Forget the polls or the predictions: There was a feeling of inevitability, of destiny, written in their postures as they waved giant American flags and patiently sat through early returns that made it seem like the race could end up being much tighter than it was. But as each major prize fell into the Obama column, the energy climbed and the tension turned to giddiness. An interracial trio of first-time voters wearing homemade Obamapalooza tank tops could only cheer and give thanks that they were on hand to hear Obama's speech in person. "It's so amazing, especially for me. I want to be a politician someday. And he's everything I want to be when I get older, and this was my first presidential vote," said Chastity Burns, 21, who, like her friends, called her mother as soon as the results came in. "If you've got grandparents and everybody that always stayed on you and told you how hard it was, like, 'Come on, you're going to appreciate that one day,' this is the dream that everybody had," said native Chicagoan Mike Gilla, 27, who called his grandmother first, because they've watched the entire election together. "It's democracy, too, and it's not even just for black people. It's for people that felt, like, disincluded in the government, period. 'The government don't care about us, they on that side, we on this side' ... but Barack Obama, everything he said came to the light. ... It's a validation of this country, man, how far they came." Despite a campaign that often fell to the depths of personal attacks, questions about integrity and ability to lead, the crowd provided polite applause for Republican Senator John McCain as his solicitous concession speech played on the big screen. And when Obama paid tribute to his rival, the supporters honored their new leader not by booing, but by nodding their heads and lightly clapping for the senator who had fallen short in his second bid for the White House. After Obama finished his address, there was an electric sense that a page had turned in the American story and that those gathered had witnessed an event that won't likely be repeated in their lifetimes. "I'm so happy that Obama's the next president," said Khalief Miles, 22, who flew in from Philadelphia for the Obama rally. "It gives my life so much promise and lets me know my son can be something better. He can be something great. He can do anything he wants to do." MTV News was on the ground in all 50 states to cover this historic election, and now we want to hear from you! Share your voting experience and your reaction to the results in the comments area below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and comment. Related Videos Related Photos |
| John McCain Supporters Didn't Want To Accept Defeat -- Until They Had No Choice Posted: 05 Nov 2008 12:53 AM PST Revelers cocooned themselves from the outside world at senator's Phoenix rally.
PHOENIX — You got the feeling — whether it was all the guys in cowboy hats, the kids dressed up as Uncle Sam or the innumerable Sarah Palin doppelgängers in attendance — that John McCain's election-night party was less about celebrating than it was about creating some sort of alternate reality. This was probably because Tuesday night's actual reality was a decidedly dour affair for Republicans everywhere. In the days leading up to the election, McCain trailed Democrat Barack Obama in just about every poll you could find. After leaping out to an early lead in electoral votes, states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia began to slip away, and the rout was on. Dems gained a clear majority in the U.S. Senate too — winning, at press time, 17 of 35 contested seats — and by night's end, even the pundits on Fox News were having a difficult time locating the silver lining in anything. So instead, the revelers at the Arizona Biltmore decided to cocoon themselves from the outside world, ignoring punditry, damning data and basically acting as if nothing were amiss. Which was why, as most major networks began to call Pennsylvania for Obama, the two massive TV screens inside the Biltmore's Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom switched off their live feeds and began airing a steady stream of McCain political ads. Soon after, the Phoenix Boys Choir — looking downright Hogwart-ian in their matching blazers and striped ties — took the stage and began singing "God Bless America." It was why, even as CNN, MSNBC and ABC all had Obama surging to a 60-point lead in electoral votes, the in-house tally provided by the McCain camp still had their man leading by 18, or why, during a rah-rah speech, Arizona Congressman John Shadegg shouted, "We're not going to let the polls defeat us. We're going to defeat the polls. ... We're going to win!" And only in an alternate world could the logic used to introduce performer Hank Williams Jr. — which went, in paraphrase, "If football is America's greatest sport, and John McCain is our next president, then our next performer is the greatest country singer in America" — make any semblance of sense. That the Biltmore itself was otherworldly — designed by Wright, hidden among golf courses and gated mansions — only added to the evening's surrealism. Make no mistake about it: As the night wore on, most in the room weren't oblivious to the events happening outside the Biltmore. As soon as Ohio was called for Obama, the mood in the room shifted seismically, but still, there was a hope, a belief that nothing outside of the room was real, and that somehow, someway, McCain was going to pull this thing off — overwhelming odds to the contrary. "Early on, I felt really good, because [McCain] was ahead, he had won some states, but it's not looking so good right now. So I started drinking," Bethany Forme, 22, said. "But you have to wait until it's an official call though, because sometimes they'll call things without them being official. You can't assume anything yet though, just like the 2004 election. ... I don't want to see him concede, because I'm just going to have to move to Australia if Obama gets elected." "You never know. ... He's winning a lot of electoral votes right now, and we haven't gotten to the western states yet, and he's very popular in those states, so we don't know," Audrey Kopsa, 29, added. "I have a feeling it's going to go late into the night and early into the morning. We're not really going to know where we're going to stand, and McCain's always been known for coming from behind, so we're hopeful for that." Only, it didn't go late into the night. By 8 p.m. PT, McCain's campaign was losing steam, and talk inside the ballroom shifted to more conciliatory tones — "Don't believe the media; there are still plenty of votes to be counted" being a popular one. By 9 p.m., it was lost, and talk turned to concession. The Republican's once VIP-only election-night address from the Biltmore's Squaw Peak Lawn was suddenly opened to everyone, and for the first time, reality began to seep into the picture. But it wasn't until 9:18 p.m. PT, when McCain finally conceded — speaking from a stage that looked like something from a Michael Bay film and flanked by his wife, Cindy; his running mate, Sarah Palin; and her husband, Todd — that the alternate reality ended. Obama had won the presidency, and no amount of men in cowboy hats could change that fact. The crowd on the lawn was murmuring and slightly angry. The supporters booed Obama's name each time McCain mentioned it, called to see the president-elect's birth certificate and hissed at the mere mention of working with their new commander in chief to make this country strong once again. It seemed that some differences were too deep to be mended on this night. And after McCain's 10-minute speech ended, his supporters headed back out into a world that was profoundly — and historically — changed. Heroic music surged over loudspeakers, McCain and his wife embraced, and the entire Republican ticket waved farewell. It was just like the ending to a Hollywood movie, a fact not lost on one Mac backer. "It's kind of sad. ... Everybody around us worked really hard in support of our candidate, so it's a somber feeling. Almost like a funeral," James Rate, 22, sighed. "The Republican Party now needs to reconnect to young voters. The Democrats beat them at that game, and — sorry, they're playing the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' theme. That's awesome. It's an inspiring end to all this, I guess. I feel like going out and doing some pirate things now." MTV News was on the ground in all 50 states to cover this historic election, and now we want to hear from you! Share your voting experience and your reaction to the results in the comments area below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and comment. Related Videos |
| Why You Voted: The Economy, Iraq, Terrorism -- And Because You Finally Could! Posted: 05 Nov 2008 09:44 AM PST The economy was the overwhelming motivating force for most voters, according to polls.
After all of the campaign ads, the promises, the debates and the rhetoric, it turns out the fragile state of our economy inspired millions of Americans to hit the polls, according to exit-poll data collected by CNN throughout Election Day. CNN reports that, of the people they surveyed, a whopping 62 percent said the country's current and future financial woes were the chief reason they waited in long lines for their shot behind the curtain. Nationwide, 10 percent of respondents pointed to the war in Iraq, and of those voters, most voted for Obama in all states but two. Meanwhile, 9 percent of voters said the threat of terrorism, and our country's response to such aggression, was the top issue for them in this year's election, and, of those surveyed, 86 percent supported Senator John McCain's candidacy. Health care was another motivating issue for voters, with 9 percent saying it was the top issue weighing on their minds. Ultimately, though, it seems Senator Barack Obama owes much of his victory to the youth vote. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (also known as CIRCLE), which promotes research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25, claims that voters between the ages of 18 and 29 represented 18 percent of all voters on Tuesday; that's one point higher than in 1996, 2000 and 2004, when young voters represented 17 percent of voters. More precise data on the youth share of the vote will be released Wednesday (November 5). While CNN's exit-poll results give a strong indication of national voting trends, MTV's viewers have been logging on to the Newsroom blog to tell us why they voted this year. A user named TES said, "I voted because I'm tired of what this country has become, and we need to restore it; we need to get out of this war, [we need] better education, [and we need] more jobs. I honestly don't feel McCain is the right choice." XkarieX told us she voted this year because of the sheer historic importance behind it. "We need a strong, smart and dedicated leader to get our country on the right path, and in my heart, I believe that McCain is the right choice." Meanwhile, valshatraw tells us she voted for the person she thought would be able to help improve America's economy, "and give a tax break to us poor folk, who don't make anywhere near $250,000 a year...who live paycheck to paycheck." Qtprincess01, 26, said she didn't vote on the basis of race, even though she is black. "I voted because I would like to be able to afford a house, gas, and live in a productive, stable economy," she wrote. "McCain has yet to say what his tactics are for helping me want to reach those goals I have. He is too busy focusing on Barack. Obama has stated many times his tactics, strategies and even has them listed on his Web site. This is the kind of leader I want." MikeI'maMartianDavis08 said he voted "because I felt it was time for a change and I wanted my voice to be heard." The war in Iraq was a crucial issue for honyok3cidb, who voted "because I am sick and tired of the world thinking that Americans are war-loving mongrels who will blow up anyone who gets in their way, for climate change and to show that I do have a voice — you can't silence me." For Cookie9808, she voted for the McCain/Palin ticket because "I want to keep my hard-earned money that I, myself, deserve" and "because Roe vs. Wade needs to be overturned." Anamerican simply voted because of the soldiers who've been fighting to protect the right of all Americans to have their voices heard. "Soldiers can't have an excuse for not performing their duty and risk their lives each so there's no good excuse for me not to vote," the commenter wrote. "Thousands of soldiers patriotically have lost their lives in the war to preserve our freedoms. The least I can do is vote. It's the best way to say 'Thanks, your sacrifice has not been in vain.' " For all of those reasons and more, Americans flocked to the polls to make their voices heard. MTV News was on the ground in all 50 states to cover this historic election, and now we want to hear from you! Share your voting experience and your reaction to the results in the comments area below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and comment. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Barack Obama And John McCain's Exit Music Tells A Cinematic Story Posted: 04 Nov 2008 11:29 PM PST What's behind the movie theme songs each candidate chose to end their respective victory and concession speeches?
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| Times Square Celebrates Barack Obama's Victory Posted: 05 Nov 2008 09:55 AM PST 'I am super proud to be an American,' one excited voter said.
Daphne McWilliams has waited for this moment her whole life. She was born at the height of the civil rights movement, and never dreamed that those days could lead to this. Yet there she was, shoulder to shoulder with hundreds (if not thousands) of others in Times Square — the crossroads of the world — watching history unfold as Barack Obama became the first black man elected president of the United States.
"I am beside myself. This is amazing," she said. "I am super proud to be an American." Like McWilliams, Kimberly Barbour was overwhelmed by the announcement of Obama's win. "It's unbelievable. I cannot believe this!" she exclaimed. On election night, 19-year-old Stephan Marcus — wearing a slew of McCain pins and stickers — appears to be the lone Republican in a sea of Obama supporters. For him, the man who claims to be a maverick really is one. "I think he's better for Israel," he bluntly told MTV News. "My hopes are the economy gets back on track. Israel's security is stable. We can finish up in Iraq. We can hope to see a functioning and thriving democracy in the Middle East." But, despite wanting more than anything for McCain to win the election, he's willing to give an Obama presidency a try because he sees what it can do for race relations within the country. "I shrug my shoulders and see what happens. He is new. He's very different than what we've seen, so maybe that will work for us — but, from where I'm standing, I don't see it." "I know he's liberal, but I think, more than politics, is the way he looks at people," 23-year-old Kevin Doyle told MTV News. "I think he has integrity. When I first heard he was getting buzz, I said to my mom, 'There's not going to be someone named Barack Obama as president of the United States.' ... I didn't expect it for the country." New York native Ashley Warington recalled the moment she could relate to Obama and knew that he was the candidate for her. "Remember Michelle Obama's quote, that 'This is the first time I'm proud to be an American'?" she asked. "As a minority, this was a big step for us to feel politically motivated. "It's going to take more than four years," she added. "But there has to be a plan to get us to the next level and to keep things moving." A record number of young people voted in this election, and the enthusiasm that so many voters to the polls was on display in Midtown Manhattan. "It is crazy! It has been the most exhilarating election year," Minay Bowers said. "It's also been very, very high intensity. It's kind of a little bit of anxiety. The fact that we have even been able to embrace this is amazing." Having lived through the civil rights movement, Watergate and the Vietnam War, Bowers still feels like this is a momentous occasion. "No! Have I ever in my whole 50 years of life seen anything like this? No!" she exclaimed. "I think our country is in a state of emergency and, despite whatever side of the coin you're on, we're looking for a savior." Even McCain supporter Marcus was willing to observe, "It shows that America can finally move on and put this race thing behind us." MTV News was on the ground in all 50 states to cover this historic election, and now we want to hear from you! Share your voting experience and your reaction to the results in the comments area below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and comment. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Young Voters Are Showing Up, Despite Long Lines And Busy Schedules Posted: 04 Nov 2008 12:39 AM PST Virginia Tech students travel 6.5 miles from campus to vote at small polling station on unmarked road.
It's still too early for hard numbers, but long lines full of young faces at polling places indicate that first-time voters are making their voices heard on this Election Day. And those voices are loudest in battleground states like Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan, according to voter mobilization organization Rock the Vote. By noon, Philadelphia's Drexel University had already seen more voters than it did four years ago (574 so far today, compared to 425 total in 2004). Farther west, more than 1,000 students have already come out to vote on the campus of Penn State University, Rock the Vote reports.
In Blacksburg, Virginia, more than 5,600 people (mainly Virginia Tech students) are registered to vote. This is nearly double what the state law allows in terms of polling-station capacity, resulting in huge delays. Additionally, the solitary polling station is located 6.5 miles from campus at a small church on an unmarked road. Rock the Vote's numbers bolster what MTV News' Street Team reporters are finding across the country. Several Street Teamers are reporting that the youth vote is coming out strong, even early in the day. Florida correspondent Anthony Wojtkowiak has encountered lines around the block at St. Augustine's church near the University of Miami, and he spoke to a couple of students who got up at 5:30 a.m. just to cast their ballots. In Bloomington, Indiana, Alex Damron met up with a bunch of young voters who hope that this election will help usher in change for the state. Colorado correspondent Trevor Martin spoke to a young waitress who said that most of her co-workers had already voted by early mail-in ballot. "That's awesome because I think this is one of the first times that Colorado has been a swing state and had early voting in the first place. A lot of people took advantage of that," she said. New Mexico Street Teamer Christine Begay spoke to one young voter who said this year could lead to a "true step for change." He added, "The youth involvement is extraordinary. ... I'm proud of the American people [for] really showing up today and voting for whoever. It doesn't matter who they vote for, as long as they vote." And young people are out there, letting people know that they support both McCain and Obama. Illinois correspondent Jacqueline Ingles encountered one Obama supporter who said, "I voted for Obama because he's just so inspirational. ... We're from the same neighborhood, so that's even cooler. ... As far as young people, he really looks out for their values." Meanwhile, Arizona Street Teamer Nicole Fagin met up with two McCain supporters who showed their alliance to the state's senator. "I really believe in his opinions on the economy and health care and his respect for human dignity and life, so that's why I voted for McCain," one of the women said. When it was pointed out that their McCain/Palin T-shirts seemed to put them in the minority, she added, "I think it's kind of the norm for youth in America, and it's obviously like that on this campus — there's a lot more Obama supporters. But we still stand strong and walk around with pride in our McCain shirts." Regardless of who it is young people are voting for, the important thing is that they're out there making sure that their opinions count. According to Rock the Vote, as of 4 p.m. ET, the turnout for voters ages 18-29 had already surpassed 2004's numbers. Still, some people have encountered problems. The organization also reports that voters in Florida, Texas and Arizona have reportedly received the following text message: "Due to long lines today, all Obama voters are asked to vote on Wednesday. Thank you for your cooperation." That won't necessarily keep young voters away from the polls. Nebraska Street Teamer Jane Fleming Kleeb has prepared an interesting blog post with figures about the youth vote. MTV News is at the polls in all 50 states — check out our coverage all day long on MTV and right here on MTVNews.com. Then, tell us why you voted! Comment below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and a comment about your experience. Your message will appear on our election map and could appear on TV today! Related Videos |
| Busta Rhymes, Juelz Santana Describe The 'Rewarding' Feeling Of Voting For The First Time Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:33 AM PST Maino, Nas, T.I., Bow Wow and Soulja Boy Tell'em also join the ranks of first-time voters.
Call them your favorite rappers, voting virgins or just plain citizens finally doing their civic duty. Some of rap's biggest names voted for the first time in this election, and they feel liberated about it. "Real beautiful day for me, man," Busta Rhymes said Tuesday afternoon (November 4). In his mid-30s, Bus never voted before because he felt no prior candidate could identify with the African-American experience. It changed with Barack Obama. Busta sees the Illinois senator not just as an extraordinary leader, but as a symbol. "The fact that his skin complexion, his age, the stories he has to tell," Busta said. "What we can see in him is way more than what we've been able to see in any other [candidate] prior to him. Seeing him could be the one thing that's gonna spark the mind of the young child — whether it be black, Indian, Puerto Rican, Asian — that it's possible for them to achieve that greatness. My kids can look outside of their father. They have a motivation to reach a level [higher] than I ever had before. That alone does it in such a major way for me." (Watch Ludacris take another first-time voter to the polls in the Newsroom blog.) Busta recorded his new album, B.O.M.B., until 4 a.m. Tuesday, then went home to sleep. But he was up at 6 and at the polls at 7. He said voting in New York was a "defining moment" in his life. At first, however, he wasn't 100 percent sure that he would be able to vote. "I pull up to the poll site, I go inside," he recounted. "The entire staff was so excited to see me, I felt like I was coming home to my crib. People were embracing me, kissing me on the cheek. I'm kissing them back. Then a lady opens up the book and says, 'Let me see your ID.' When I registered to vote, I didn't get anything back in the mail, so I didn't have the confirmation [my registration] went down correctly. So I see my signature in that big-ass book. I point to my signature and say, 'That's me, miss.' She grabbed my ID and said, 'It looks like you.' " Once Busta got his pass to go to the booth, he got nervous. He couldn't mess this up. "I looked at the booth for, like, 20 minutes," he admitted. "I couldn't go in there. I knew I was only gonna get one time to go in that booth and make the vote the right way. I pulled back the curtain, and I said, 'This sh-- looks weird. Please give me the instruction one more time.' " When at last, Busta voted, he said, "I had a feeling I never felt. We [as entertainers] get to do a lot of great things — travel the world, get cars and jewelry. The thing that cost me nothing was the greatest and most rewarding feeling in the world for me. I did my part." Juelz Santana voted in New Jersey. "I feel good," the Obama-supporting Diplomat said. "My first time ever. It's kinda like when you tell the truth, like how they say when you tell the truth, the truth will set you free. That was one of the things that I hoped, that I could be a part of history. "I had to ask the guy standing right there, 'What buttons do I press?' " Juelz continued. "I seen all types of crazy sh-- happening in the poll. 'Tell me what to press. I don't wanna be pressing the wrong things.' " Finally, Santana made his choice. "It was pretty fast," he said of the process. "Faster than we expected. We knew a lot of people would go voting before work. The good thing about Jersey, it's a lot of different polls in one town, and the towns are so small. It was crowded in there, but it moved kinda fast. It took about 45 minutes." Maino waited in line for about an hour to vote in New York, and he said it was worth it. Especially because prior to a few weeks ago, he thought his criminal record would prevent him from being eligible. "I had a great team, the supporting cast around me," Maino said, explaining how he found out his rights. "I thought I couldn't vote. I had been incarcerated; I had two violent felonies. I did a long bid. I felt I would never be able to vote. They don't inform us that we have those rights. My people told me, 'We researched it. You can vote.' I was like, 'Nah.' I was arguing with them. I didn't even want to fill out the voter registration. I felt it would be a waste of time. But I filled it out, it came back, and I was [good to go]. "It was a major experience," he added about voting. "I'd never been a part of anything like that, other than when I was very young, going with my mother. I never went inside the booth. It was just a beautiful experience knowing we're on the verge of making history. Win, lose or draw, it feels good to be a part of something." Nas, Soulja Boy Tell'em and Bow Wow all either voted for the first time or voted earlier via absentee ballot. "Tonight is the night," Juelz said, describing how he wants to celebrate if Obama wins. "I wanna say I'm gonna get a couple of bottles, but I don't know. They like pulling white rabbits out of black hats, if you get what I'm saying. It's too obvious, Barack is winning. If McCain wins, we'll have new meaning for the word politics. You're going to go to the dictionary and just today's date is going to pop up. Even though I felt Obama was winning, I still went out and voted. There's no room for failure." Busta was so excited about voting, he got on the phone with friends and went out to the streets to inspire people to get to the polls, no matter what. "We campaigned everywhere," Rhymes noted. "[If Obama wins], you gonna get a little bit of everything from me [tonight]. You gonna feel my presence as if I was running the campaign. I'mma be running around every club, stampeding and taking over every situation to make sure the celebration is prioritized." MTV News is at the polls in all 50 states — check out our coverage all day long on MTV and right here on MTVNews.com. Then, tell us why you voted! Comment below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and a comment about your experience. Your message will appear on our election map and could appear on TV today! Related Videos Related Artists |
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