On Tuesday the electorate finally passed the torch in American politics. Because Americans often like to change direction, voters finally decided to give Democrats a chance after eight years of failed policy.
Not only did Republicans lose the presidency, but they also lost crucial seats in the House and Senate.
Yet, while Barack Obama will become the 44th president, I think all Americans were winners on election night.
Here's why:
Not only did voters elect a black president, but also women like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin showed they could fight with the men. While Clinton eclipsed former congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's mark for most primaries and delegates won by a woman, Palin became the second woman to be named a vice presidential nominee and the first Alaskan nominee of either major party. That's extraordinary.
For Obama, he becomes the first elected president from Hawaii, making him the only president elected from a state outside the continental United States.
Furthermore, Obama won tough states like Florida, Ohio, Colorado and even Indiana.
But it was you, the average citizen, who highlighted election night.
In what was considered the most imperative election of our time, voters became active in exercising civic duty. It was you who waited in long lines. And it was you who became part of an incredible statewide voter turnout to change this country.
Whether you voted for Obama, be proud of your country. Acknowledge your age group and first-time voters. Granted, America tried to "rock the vote" four years ago, but it actually happened this election. Praise the citizens who waited two or three hours to vote, and commend Americans for producing an actual grassroots movement.
It is without a doubt that this election was one for the ages.
In the end, I look back on this election not as a Democratic victory or a Republican loss, but as a triumph for America.
Most would agree that the past eight years have not been exciting times in America. The Bush administration certainly ostracized itself from the country; therefore, decreasing Americans' trust in Washington.
Yet, instead of worrying about the past, I urge you to look forward to the future. Be glad the bickering, harsh political advertisements and overwhelming news coverage will begin to dissipate.
It is clear this election has made its mark on the present and future state of America. We were told voters could change America, and I am confident to say we succeeded.
America is changing; the 2008 election showed that. No longer can minority citizens believe they can't be president. No longer do women not stand a chance against men. And no longer are historic Republican strongholds like Indiana and Virginia seen as guarantees.
With the election over, I say goodbye to John King's "magic board," James Carville's jocular body language, Keith Olbermann's tirades and Sean Hannity's inability to shut up. For 2008 has been a truly remarkable year for women, minorities and once insignificant states like Indiana.
More importantly, 2008 is a victory for all Americans, and hopefully America will seek out the change so many voted for. Republican or Democrat, let's hope for the best. This is a moment so many people have been waiting for, and I hope as a nation we can appreciate what happened Tuesday night.
But don't get too carried away because 2012 is just around the corner.
And I assume Sarah Palin will start campaigning very soon.
Jason Marer is a junior majoring in social studies and writes 'Think to Exist' for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Jason at jsmarer@bsu.edu
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