University of Michigan OTR: President Obama: What Does That Mean to You?

President Obama: What Does That Mean to You?

Posted by Johnny Quest 11/05/2008 09:51 AM
Category: Tags: election, president, obama

Last night was the most wired I’ve been in a very long time. Early returns showed Obama down in Virginia and Florida, which put me on the edge of my seat in panic mode. But then as CNN dove into their Magic Map county by county, it was clear that the Democratic regions hadn’t been counted yet.

Then the results started to come in. The first big milestone was when Obama won Pennsylvania, which was McCain’s “Alamo” as they called it, if he wanted to flip a blue state while being able to lose a few minor reds. The big nail in the coffin was Ohio, which Obama won decisively pretty soon after polls closed. A great moment occurred when John King said “with any sort of integrity I can not envision a scenario where McCain gets to 270.”

And he didn’t.

Obama won last night in a landslide. The final electoral vote tally should stand at 364 to 173 when the dust settles, with the popular vote hovers around 52% to 46%. Even after Ohio was called, it didn’t really set in what had just happened. But that changed the first time I heard someone say “President Obama” out loud. McCain’s bowing out speech was gracious, and Obama’s Chicago acceptance speech will most likely be legendary.

As I woke up today and look at a lot of Facebook statuses, I see a lot of celebration, but I also see a lot of despair. Many people have warnings about the impending advent of socialism, a term that I’m convinced most people only started using after Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber started slinging it around. If going back to the tax structure of the Clinton years is “socialism” and giving $750 billion to the government to bailout Wall Street isn’t, I guess I’ll have me some socialism.

One thing I noticed last night is that even the most staunch conservative analysts had nothing bad to say about the night, they all recognized that massive historical significance of what had happened, and nearly everyone on TV from 11 PM onward was in tears or at least well on their way. I don't think a lot of our generation gets it, mainly because we didn't grow up with segregation and race riots and civil rights struggles. The only thing us rich white kids know about race comes from bitching about affirmative action and watching Chapelle's Show.

So I guess I want to give the conservative half of our generation a collective slap on the head, and make them at least acknowledge that they lived through history last night. You can bitch about policy all you want in the future, and I know you will, but at least today, take a minute and realize how far our country has come.

Now I want to open the floor up to you, and ask what having a President Obama means to you. I guess you can say more nonsense about socialism and secret extremist ties if you want, but I’m hoping you’re all smarter than that and appreciate the significance of what last night meant.

Update: HuffPo has a pretty cool slideshow on their front page showing the world reacting to Obama. If you don't think his presidency will help our stature in the world, just take a look.

+ 36 comments

Mr. Stay Puft says,

I'll start the commenting with my insignificant yet comical observation:

As I watched CNN last night announce that Obama won, I noticed they did so with a screen shot so large and dazzling that it really was the only thing on Earth that could rival John King's Minority Report-esque presentation he has.

Then, I decided to check out fox news and see what they were saying. "OBama Wins" was in the bottom right corner and could have been covered with a dime. I wonder if they were bitter? Posted 11/05/2008 10:43 AMReply

Anonymous says,

History has most certainly been made. Obama is the first African-American president. It has been said that he is the first "post-Vietnam era / post-Baby Boomer" president. He is the first president this century to mobilize the under 30 demographic as he has. However, once all this glitter fades there is still one major question remaining: can he deliver on all that he says he can? Soon it will be "put up or shut up" time. Soon we will truly see if he is the savior we all hope he is or if he is simply a dynamic speaker that we will all be bugging about in 4 years. Will his lack of military experience show in the handling of the war on terror and in Iraq? Will my children have to return there because he didn't finish the job? To answer these and MANY other questions will not only take his actions to answer; but it will also take our other elected officials to work together to make things happen with compromises that we can all live with. It will take ALL OF US to voice our concerns and opinions to those officials in future ballots, phone calls and letters so we ensure they have OUR best interests in mind when they vote new legislations. So the success or failure of the next four years rests not only in the hands of the man who was elected yesterday, but in the hands of all Americans. Politicians beware: you may be elected to your position, but America will NOT let you forget who you work for...so in the words of one the nations most famous comedians lets "git-er-done!!!"

Tom Dardas, NH
McCain supporter Posted 11/05/2008 10:47 AMReply

Anonymous says,

The truth about Taxes.

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten
comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go
something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18..
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59..

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day
and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw
them a curve.

'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the
cost of your daily beer by $20.' Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes SO the
first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free.

But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they
divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that
from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end
up being paid to drink his beer.

So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill
by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each
should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $50 instead of $59 (15% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before.

And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the
restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. 'I only got a dollar out
of the $20,' declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, 'but he
got $9!'

'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too.
It's unfair that he got nine times more than I!'

'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $9 back when I
got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!' 'Wait a minute,' yelled the
first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system
exploits the poor.'

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down
and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they
discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of
them for even half of the bill!

And that is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes
get the most benefit from a tax reduction.

Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show
up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere
is somewhat friendlier. Posted 11/05/2008 11:10 AMReply

Anonymous says,

And, yes, Barack Obama is indeed a socialist, and the United States is royally screwed. An inexperienced, liberal preseident who hardly ever voted when he was a Senator is somehow now running the most important nation in the world. He pandered to the ignorant voter, citing change. In reality, however, there is no way that the economy is going to improve if he implements his socialist policies, raising taxes for the people who foot the bill for 80-plus percent of all income taxes.

The economic crisis, which was caused in large part due to the democrats' refusual to regulate Fannie Mae and other similar organizations that made irresponsible loans to people who had no business getting loans, may only get worse with such a socialist agenda.

Young people in colleges, who have yet to actually work hard and see how much of their hard-EARNED income goes to a government that wastes it dramatically, will soon learn that Obama is not going to provide the CHANGE they hope for.

Race is the one thing that is not relevant--it is 2008, and anyone who would not vote for someone because of their race is an uneducated moron and bigot.

When it comes to polciy, however, Obama is wrong on every issue, has consistently flip flopped in the past and has no track record to go on.

I am predicting right now, that in 2012, America is going to be begging for a major chance, and the Republicans will take back the voting majority in congress in two years.

The backlash at Obama is going to be swift. Redistribution of wealth policies simply do not work, especially in an economy like this. Posted 11/05/2008 11:18 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Relevantly, as many influential experts and publications have repeatedly pointed out, Obama is part of Generation Jones, born 1954-1965, between the Boomers and Xers.

Here's a recent 5 minute GenJones video which features many top pundits specifically talking about Obama's membership in Generation Jones: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ta_Du5K0jk Posted 11/05/2008 11:56 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Yes, we the ignorant, uneducated people elected Obama. How stupid of us. Of course we want laws in our reproductive organs. I know I HATE it when I can make decisions about my life. All those women who would have to carry children in cases of rape and incest are just whiners, right? We should totally give more rights to an embryo than a walking, breathing, traumatized human being. By the way, of course we want those who are different from us to be treated as second class citizens. Of course we don't give a damn about a broken educational system and the abomination of no child left behind. Of course standardized tests aren't terribly flawed and of course school's funding should be set on rigid standardized criteria where children from lower-income schools can't possibly compete. OOOH- and when they can't measure up- Let's slash their funding MORE! Excellent idea. No wonder the past eight years have been so fun. Posted 11/05/2008 12:02 PMReply

Anonymous says,

I just realized that republican does not mean conservative. I used to think it did but I learned a lot last night that there are republicans and then there are conservatives. I am proud to say that I am a conservative and feel very lonely today. Posted 11/05/2008 12:06 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Can we start the Bush administration invesstigation now. i know there is some jail time after taking steps above the law.how about his friends at KBR inds and some underground names that rip all of us off. Paulson/Cheeney also should be investigated is this rip off of the American people. I'm a long time republican who voted against Reps because now days no Reps know what we stand for. How did we chose Mccain. Posted 11/05/2008 12:25 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Yesterday, we elect Obama. Today, our stock markets are crashing.

Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation Posted 11/05/2008 12:38 PMReply

Anonymous says,

**** your liberal bias. Posted 11/05/2008 3:18 PMReply

Johnny Quest says,

Well this has been exactly the beacon of hope and idea sharing I thought it would be. Posted 11/05/2008 3:21 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Ignorant bastards. Move to the Caymans to protect all your assets you rich selfless dicks. Obama will be a great president and restore or at least get us back on the right path to being the great country we used to be before the Bush administration slaughtered that.

GObama. Diag/South U last night... hope someone with a camera posts some pictures of that rally last night. Posted 11/05/2008 3:26 PMReply

Anonymous says,

To the 12:02 post: who are you to say that abortion is okay even if it is in the case of rape/incest? Of course those are two horrible acts, but that child should be given the life it has.

So next time you meet someone that was a "surprise" pregnancy, go ahead and ask them if they would have preferred getting sucked up by a vacuum oppose to inconveniencing the mother with raising the child or putting it up for adoption. Posted 11/05/2008 3:49 PMReply

Anonymous says,

I think abortions should be legal, safe, and rare. Do you honestly think making them illegal will prevent people from getting them? Then we would just have more mothers AND their fetuses die. You can't choose for people. Let them choose their own moral code. No one's forcing you to get one. I think you have a false idea that people get abortions like they get lattes. You need to consider what a terrible and difficult situation it must be to have an unplanned pregnancy. Your own body is at stake, your health is at stake, your job, your livelihood may be at stake. Don't assume to know what's best for people. Posted 11/05/2008 5:09 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Wah. Wah. Wah. PLEASE spare the majority of OTR readers/Umich students from the whiny cries of pissy McCain supporters. Obama is our president, whether you like it or not. Things will change, whether you like it or not. And you will realize, that our country is MUCH better off with him as our leader then McCain's old, rotting ass.

The peaceful rally that started in the Diag last night was incredible. Like someone mentioned above, I want to see some great pictures up here! Posted 11/05/2008 5:14 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Actually, Obama is NOT African-American according to our United States standards. Obama is only 6.25% African. In the United States, you must be 1/16 of a group to qualify for that ethnic status, and Obama falls short. Obama is descended from Arab slave traders. If you go to the Kenyan government's website and look up his father, his father is classified as an Arab. There is nothing with this, but why lie about it? Why convince everyone in the US you are something you are not?
Obama's racial breakdown is as follows:
50% White
43.75% Arab
6.25% African
There is a reason his name is Barack Hussein Obama. Look at this family tree! Look at the names on his father's side! And Americans are sitting here saying, "This is our first African-American president!" Obama is not the first African-American president, he is simply the first person of color to be elected President. I wish people would realize this and stop throwing terms like that around. Then maybe we wouldn't have had such blatant ethnic voting last night. Posted 11/05/2008 5:28 PMReply

Anonymous says,

^^^^^ Yes things will change, but whether for the good or the worse it is impossible to know right now. The man has done NOTHING yet, so instead of patting each other on the backs and thinking the second coming of Christ has come, why don't we wait until he has actually done something before we start congratulating ourselves in a country wide circle jerk. Also, I believe it was the liberals who went around saying that George W. Bush was not their president because they didn't vote for him. Kind of funny how things switch when the outcomes are different. Posted 11/05/2008 5:33 PMReply

Anonymous says,

@ <a href="#c29390">Mr. Stay Puft</a>: @ <a href="#c29390">Mr. Stay Puft</a>: Obama will either be a repeat of Carter or Kennedy. Hopefully it is the later. I am afraid that if he continues his past voting record, we will see Carter and our country is in trouble. As my accountant stated when I voiced my concerns: "If we can get through Carter we can get through any president." Republicans should look on the bright side, in the most Democrat-friendly environment in over 20 years the republican candidate still received 47-48% of the vote(not quite a landslide much of the media is making it out to be). If Obama does mess things up, republicans may see a Reagan-like win 4 years from now. Posted 11/05/2008 5:36 PMReply

Anonymous says,

^Right now, moving in a direction that doesn't involve George W. Bush is a positive direction. Whether or not Obama has done anything YET, he has given this country HOPE that something will change for the better. that is why millions of Americans from both the right and left are celebrating this victory. I know plenty of "conservatives" who voted blue this year.

Get off that bitter bullshit! :) Posted 11/05/2008 5:41 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Well no shit that we don't know what Obama will do as President. He just got elected last night. But just because we don't know yet doesn't mean he will be an utter disaster as you are making it out to be. You McCain supporters need to quit whining. The way Obama got the youth involved is only a good thing for America and will be better for our future. Posted 11/05/2008 6:21 PMReply

Anonymous says,

McCains concession speech last night truly made him the real winner in the election. he lost graciously and he is a true American. I am proud to be a republican and all that they stand for. Also, Obama wants to get out of Iraq, but 68% of the troops wanted McCain to win..so do you really think they think it is the best thing to get out yet, no Posted 11/05/2008 7:07 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Will someone write a blog about the historic response on campus last night... it was reminiscent of the kind of demonstrations and craziness Michigan has been famous for decades ago. One of the most memorable experiences of my college career. Posted 11/05/2008 7:59 PMReply

Anonymous says,

yo, whatever happened, happened.

we should unite as a nation and support our new leader so this country does not collapse and become divided. Posted 11/05/2008 8:23 PMReply

Anonymous says,

amen. get over it people. republicans lost (basically every majority minus supreme court) b/c bush ****ed up the country and finally americans proved to be smart enough to pick someone who can change it.

for anyone who says america is doomed or RIP U.S. - WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS? we've been f*cked since 2000 with good old REPUBLICAN bush.

stop being sore losers and realize that your outnumbered. even ohio got something right for christs sake Posted 11/06/2008 12:05 AMReply

Anonymous says,

durka durka, jihad jihad. Posted 11/06/2008 12:22 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Obama won states like Ohio, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, ETC. I think the once head of the harvard law review is aware that he will lose these states and will lose in 2012 if he turns his administration into a liberal lovefest.
Unlike George W. surrounding himself in a homogenous sea of hawks and neocons, Obama's administration is going to be well-rounded and have republicans (maybe the actual real kind too - you now NOT socialist BIG ASS GOVERNMENT SPENDERS like George W.) working with him. Posted 11/06/2008 01:07 AMReply

Anonymous says,

just becuase he was republican doesnt mean mccain would act the same way in office. Also, Bush really wasnt that bad of a president. he made his mistakes, but when it comes to war most people in congress voted for it, and honeslty who wouldnt. he was put in a tough situation and he handled it at first the way everyone wanted him to. however, the majority of people in the military said that we cant back out now, therefore everyone got themselves into it, its not just bush's fault. The military would know better than us to pull out Posted 11/06/2008 07:31 AMReply

Anonymous says,

^^very true. Also, people tend to overlook the fact that economic activity is cyclical. Even if bush wouldn't have been president the economy would still be struggling. Clinton pushed for low interest rates, primarily to encourage home ownership and now it's coming back to bight us in the ass with all these loan defaults Posted 11/06/2008 11:39 AMReply

Anonymous says,

very valid points guys. However, we don't want to be clashing with our new leader guys. I myself am a repub but whatever happened, its over. Lets not let obama's image get ruined and turn out to be like Bush, a mockery of our country. Posted 11/06/2008 3:39 PMReply

Anonymous says,

"Obama wants to get out of Iraq, but 68% of the troops wanted McCain to win..so do you really think they think it is the best thing to get out yet, no"

Have you ever realized that the vast majority of people who volunteer for miltary service are conservatives/republicans? I'm guessing a bigger number than 68% of our soldiers in Iraq went in as republicans/Bush supporters. Most likely, more soldiers changed their views in opposion to the war than did in favor of it... Posted 11/06/2008 3:49 PMReply

Anonymous says,

McCain was about as liberal as a republican could get. He is not George Bush, nor would he run things exactly like George Bush. If you wanted change, you needed look no further than McCain. People elected Barack Hussein because he was epitome of change, afterall, he is an Arab-american. But that's not the change we needed.

Instead, we elect an Barack Hussein Obama over an American war hero with decades upon decades of political experience.

W.E America. You'll regret this decision very soon... Posted 11/06/2008 7:42 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Here's Obama having done the repubican philosphy of 'pulling yourself up by your boots straps' despite a shit load of social disadvantages (you know the whole being raised by a single mother, depending on food stamps) and got into the most prestigious universities and was in the top of his class (you know, not getting into prestigious colleges bcuz of your daddy (bush) and almost failing out of school in the bottom 3rd of his class (mccain). And all you can talk about is his middle name. Disgusting Posted 11/06/2008 11:23 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Mccain was 3rd to last in the bottom of his class Posted 11/06/2008 11:25 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Yeah, at the NAVAL ACADEMY. Posted 11/07/2008 01:49 AMReply

Anonymous says,

849th of 899. And you think we wouldn't have gotten another bush? Can't the republicans have slightly higher standards. Just slightly, maybe nominating someone in the middle of his class? Yeah f-ckin elitist democrats, wanting someone smart. Obama obviously such an elitist, you know they were probably Whole Foods food stamps, IM SURE. Posted 11/08/2008 1:29 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Sorry 894th out of 899. Wow. Posted 11/08/2008 1:30 PMReply