News-Record.com

Jeff Bartolet, 38, Republican: "Sarah Palin was presumed guilty relentlessly by the same media who gave pass after pass to Obama and his voting record and associations. For instance, we never heard if Barack Obama charged the state of Illinois or the federal government for anything his wife and daughters attended while he was on business trips. An obvious double standard few in the media are willing to courageously correct.
"Without reservation, I sincerely don’t recall reading any article on the candidates which in some way didn’t make the reader feel as if voting for McCain was wrong, ignorant, racist, or stubborn. Coupled with the research which reveals 75-80% of those in the media vote Democratic, this is troubling news for conservatives in this nation. Fair, unbiased news coverage appears to be a thing of the past for most mainstream news sources, minus Fox and other smaller organizations.
"Obviously, with over 55 million votes, many others felt McCain was better able to lead this nation. Obama’s campaign was just too flush with money, very well organized at the grass roots voter registration level, and McCain didn’t peak at the right time. He should have attacked when the economy was floundering because of the evidence showing who was responsible and how he tried to prevent this disaster three years ago. Too many people blamed President Bush for something put in place under Carter’s administration and expanded under the Clinton administration. But alas, McCain dropped the ball.
"I am somewhat ambivalent regarding the results. I am happy for him in the sense that he is the first black president and obviously overcame serious obstacles doing so, but disappointed that he strongly supports abortion, the homosexual agenda, and certain socialistic principles. I hope and pray president-elect Obama will fulfill his promise to be a unifier. Breaking his promise to submit to public financing limitations was politically expedient, but revealed his willingness to sacrifice his word for political gain. So if Pelosi, Reid, and other Democratic leaders put legislation before him that benefits only the left-wing of their party, will he sign it or will he seek compromise? Will his administration help this nation move toward unity or toward policies which undermine the foundations upon which the United States of America were built (faith, family, freedom)? Time will tell."

Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: "I am not really a “sore” loser but am afraid of what is to come. If campaign promises are kept we middle class citizens are in for a roller coaster ride. Spreading the wealth and raising taxes are not what most working class people want to hear. There is not doubt with the economic “mess” we have there is a need for change. My greatest fear is that there is a sector of folks that will continue to hold their hand out for assistance while the rest of us work to contribute. It is like “taxation without representation” shouted by our forefathers in 1775! There is empathy for those that have had health issues and loss of jobs and they deserve our support. If we are headed toward “Socialism” then give those people we are helping an opportunity to give back in return for assistance. After all, nothing is free in life.
"I am afraid my grandchildren will witness one of the most challenging times since our country became a nation. No one person be it President, house members or local government can correct this mess we are in. Maybe we need to get back to basics and teach our young that we should work for what we have and that government is not in place to support our wants but help us in our need."

Kendall Garvin, 29, unaffiliated: "The election season in North Carolina was very intense with not knowing who the Democratic candidate was going to be until late spring and the uncertainty of who was going to win three of the most important offices (president, governor and senator) to N.C.
"I am hopeful for change. As most Americans believe, the country is going in the wrong direction and whenever something is going wrong the best thing to do is change something. Doing things the same way when they are not working is never the answer.
"I am glad that I have been able to witness this historic event. No one knows what the future holds, but I think people will look back at this period and realize that Americans made the right choice.

Trevor Hamm, 25, Democrat: "The presidential election of 2008 was extraordinary in so many ways. Obama ran a campaign that used strategies that have never been used before. Because the campaign was successful, it will be a model or at least an influence on future campaigns. He raised so much money from so many small donors. He used social networking sites like facebook as well as text messaging to rally supporters. He refused to buy into the conventional wisdom that some states will automatically red and others automatically blue. He was able to fight for and win in states like Virginia, North Carolina and Florida that traditionally vote Republican. At the same time, he had tremendous amounts of volunteers working to increase his margin in states that traditionally vote for Democrats.
"I’m definitely hopeful for change in the direction of our country. I’m thankful that the majority of the country did not allow scare tactics to keep them from moving forward into a new period in the life of our democracy. This presidential campaign forced Americans to really examine where we were as it relates to issues of race, sex, and class. I’m hopeful because, I think that as a whole, we voted for the America of the future; an America that is a little closer to being the one that the founders said it could be.
Because Barack Obama won so decisively, it is clear that campaigns from now on will be done differently. I don’t think that Obama’s election means that we are now in a post-racial society, but I do think it signifies the beginning of a new era in America. At the risk of sounding too idealistic, I believe that this election signals a move away from the hyper-polarized politics of recent years. For me, the election results make it quite apparent that Joe the Plumber isn’t as representative of 2008 Americans as some would have had us believe. People are complex and have complex views on society and politics that don’t fit neatly into conservative/liberal or black/white paradigms. People want progress and are no longer satisfied with simply sticking to their ideological guns.
"I’ve watched reports on the news that show people from around the world who feel that Obama’s election has allowed them to believe again in the principles that America was founded on. My parents are 64 and 66 years old. They grew up in a segregated N.C. and had no reason to think that they would live long enough to see an African American elected president. The election of Barak Obama as President of the United States renewed people’s belief that America really is the land of possibilities and not just the land that talks about possibilities. These are the things that I’ll recount to my grandchildren.
"I hope that those who have been elected will consistently take steps to make us better as a city, as a state and as a nation. There will be no way to live up to everyone’s expectations, but my hope is simply that we never go back to the petty politics of the past. I want our leaders to keep America’s highest ideals in mind as they work with those with whom they disagree to make the best decisions for our future."

Mike Kelly, 60, Republican: "My first reaction to the 2008 election was to question if we did good work here both nationally and locally. And my response is definitely maybe. Our president-elect is the calmest politician that I have seen since JFK. He seems preternaturally disposed to power and is comfortable with the pressures concomitant with that power. He has energized young people as JFK did, bringing needed new blood into the political process. And he has, without waxing schmaltzy, brought a real sense of hope to our battered psyches. Statewide and locally, we probably did not change the paradigm all that much, save for showing Dole the door. Support of all but one of the bond referenda indicates that we still have no stomach for fiscal responsibility. None of the items was a critical component of our community.
"Secondly, I genuflected before the Twenty-second Amendment thanking those responsible that our Peter Principle President will personally (hopefully) trouble us no more. Our horribly failed experiment with having a drinking buddy chief executive has left a legacy of illimitable incompetence compensated for with arrogance that we will be hard pressed to overcome in the near term. Which segues nicely into the impact upon our future generations. They are going to ask, and rightfully so, “What The Hell Were You Thinking?”. I hardly think that an apology will suffice for the carnage perpetrated by our recent administrations.
"I am hopeful of change where change is needed. Our system of government is not broken by any stretch of anyone’s imagination. Badly bruised, to be sure, but not broken. We are Americans, after all, and we are capable of astounding accomplishments, boundless compassion, and dogged determination. We still enjoy a way of life that is the envy of the planet and I see no end to it.

Marlene Costa Nielsen, 67, Democrat: "I am very pleased with the outcome of this election and proud of America's doing the right thing in the face of scare tactics and misinformation during the campaign. We have a long way to go in making peace instead of war and repairing the damage done to our country. I tell my grandchildren that this is a significant event in our history and encourage them to become informed citizens. We are all going to have to accept the fact that change is the only thing we can count on . We have been part of the problem due to lack of interest and action , and we must become part of the solution. I hope the spirit of social activism of the campaign will carry over to the next four years."

Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated: "The word “hope” is going around a lot the last couple of days, and I certainly feel hopeful about the coming administration. I am incredibly proud and happy that Obama is our President-elect. Wednesday - the “day after” - was one of my best days as a teacher, and I know it will remain one of the best for years and years to come, because I was able to show my kids that all the encouraging things they hear from me, other teachers, and folks at home really do mean something. They struggle so much to filter the encouragement to do the right things from the encouragement to do the wrong things, and I felt like I was able to win a big victory myself when I was able to talk to my students about what this election really means for them and for their country. We watched both the concession and acceptance speeches, and also watched a little bit of a documentary on the Birmingham Children’s March (which included information about the Bloody Sunday march in Selma), so they could see how far this country has come, even though there are still plenty who disagree with or even fear what this election will bring.
"Beyond the historical significance, I hope also that we as a people don’t hold President-elect Obama to too high a standard. He recognized in his acceptance speech that the changes he hopes to deliver may not happen even within his first term - we need to recognize that, too. We need to lend helping hands, not wait on a handout. We also need to remember that Obama himself is not responsible for the changes that we need, but that he will need to have the support of the Congress in order to make those changes happen. Whatever standard we hold him to, we should hold our newly-elected and incumbent representatives and senators to the same standard.
"It’s hard to say what the lasting impact of this election will be, but I certainly hope that we have learned what a little hard work can bring about. I also hope that voters in my age-demographic and younger, and those becoming eligible, can now see how incredibly important their involvement, regardless of party affiliation, is.

Deonna Kelli Sayed, 34, Democrat: "There are many ways one can discuss this election. I will start with my four stepchildren. They are American in every way except citizenship. It was thrilling for them to be witness and participants in this election. These children, global Muslims, feel they are now part of America’s future. To take pride in their future country is the most valuable asset for any citizen. They will tell their children this election is when they truly felt American -because America elected a global citizen as its President.
"In the broadest sense, this election was not about liberal triumph over conservatism nor was it about skin color or funny names. This race was a pivotal moment in redefining how Americans identify ourselves as a nation and how the rest of the world views us.
"The presidential vote was split between urban and rural America, thus it is fair to say that two paradigms are competing. One is the old America characterized by certainty and tradition. The other America is urbanized and defined by globalism, newness, and adaptation. There is nothing wrong with either version-both hold great value and dignity. The latter, however, has always been a uniquely American characteristic; to adapt, to grow as a people, to embrace the future is a resilient American value.
"I have never viewed Obama as a savior. He will make mistakes. A Democratic majority will not solve all problems. The president is one man with larger forces dictating the terms of his office. That is the nature of politics. Bipartisanship has to be the most important element of both state and national government if any meaningful change is to occur.
"But this change gives America an opportunity for global redemption, and indeed, it may be the last opportunity we have. This historical moment begs America to embrace this change, new traditions, and accept that certain discomfort is always a prelude to improvement."

Mike Sigmon, 61, Republican: "On a national scale we must all support our new President, as long as he supports us. If we see a steady, even handed approach to domestic and foreign policy then support will naturally flow. If we see policies that inhibit growth, transfers wealth from one segment to another and generally go against the entrepreneurial spirit that built this country this will be a one term President.
On a State level I’m very concerned that we will have four more years like the last eight (Sec. Of Agriculture sent to jail, Speaker of the House now serving time for bribery, two+ legislators impeached for improper acts, $500K+ money spent on lavish trips overseas, $200K jobs for Governor’s spouse, etc.). The same party has been in power for 100 years and the rotten smell is growing. I can only hope and pray we see an improvement.
"In Guilford County we need to have our elected officials working for us taxpayers, not against a rival party. As I’ve said before, when the fire engine arrives or you turn on the water spigot you don’t care if a Democrat or Republican voted to buy the engine or plan the water system. You just want it to work. I want our City Council, County Commissioners and Board of Education to make our city and county the best in North Carolina.

Ruth Mary Weston, 54, Democrat: "My feelings after this election are not at all what I expected. There’s a strange mix of relief, inspiration, pride and optimism with sorrow, fear and anguish.
"It started Election Day when I touched the square beside Obama’s name, and tears rose in my throat like a softball. Upon reflection, I know its core was shame that voting for a black man should be significant. Wound around that were tangled strings of hope for unity and despair for harmony, faith in democracy and doubt of its systems. Over it all, the leather hide of defensiveness stitched with red threads of regret for history’s violence.
"You’d think a near sweep by Democrats would give me some sense of triumph. There’s just this awareness of great responsibilities. I dreaded a close election decided in court, yet somehow can’t take joy in Obama’s mandate. May God grant him the strength to carry and survive our expectations.
"Pelosi’s statement that we must govern from the center gives me hope the new Democratic regime will avoid hubris, but power corrupts.
"Will my fellow liberals temporarily set aside our issues of principle that enrage principled conservatives so we can solve practical problems?
"Is it foolish to expect those who booed at McCain’s gracious concession speech to forgive our past excesses so we can work together?
"Dare I hope that those of us infuriated at the Bush agenda will also forgive him for the sake of our nation’s future?
"I’m willing. Who’ll join me?"