“Yes, We Can”

“Yes, We Can”

The launch of InfamousKidd.com and its surrounding parts has long been in development, but, with some things falling into place at just the right time, what better time could there be to bring my thoughts and words to you other than with the election of a new President and hopefully the turning of a new corner in our history.

In sifting through the Democratic Primaries, I was unsure of which candidate was mine. At different times, I had thought my support would fall behind Sen. Hillary Clinton or John Edwards for some of their positions and their experience in government. But, over time, with more exposure, there was one candidate that stood out, that caused you to view politics and the future of the United States in a new way. One candidate made you believe that the world could be changed for the better, that we could hope to make our lives better, our country better, and our world better. After 8 years of the Bush Administration, with 2 wars ongoing in Afghanistan and Iraq, with an economic crisis here at home, with an outrageous numbers of Americans without healthcare, Sen. Barack Obama brought to light the idea that we can change the things that have made life difficult for the average American over the course of the last Presidency. It is not out of our reach to bring our troops home safely or to finish the initial job of capturing and stopping those who truly attacked us in 2001. It is not out of the realm of possibility for every citizen to be granted healthcare as a right, not as a privilege. It is not ridiculous to think that the government will give you a little bit of help, if you need it, while you try to live the dream that you have always been told could be achieved in this county – that it wasn’t the sham or cliche that it had developed into over recent years. Sen. Barack Obama inspired Americans to work towards a common goal, a common cause, together – not as red states or blue states, but as a country united – to make the country better for all of us. John Edwards was the candidate you liked. Hillary Clinton was the candidate you knew. But Barack Obama was the candidate that you loved.

In being an absolute political junkie who cannot pull himself away from the news and campaign coverage, it was amazing to me to see Barack Obama transcend the typical game of politics. He was able, for the most part, to stay away from the mudslinging that has typically brought political campaigns down to the gutter-level. That did not prevent him from being the target of such attacks, called everything from a terrorist and a muslim to a socialist and a communist. However, he always seemed to remain above the fray, not dragged into the nastiness. He tackled every attack head-on, immediately, unlike previous Democratic candidates, and, as a result, he was able to put these non-issues to bed fairly quickly, focusing entirely on real issues that affect real people, primarily the economy and its effects on the public.

We can debate the plusses & minuses of Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin on John McCain’s campaign and the Republican Party. However, the shadow of George W. Bush loomed large over McCain’s campaign, and “Maverick” McCain was unable to escape the punishment the American public dropped on his ticket.

In following the polls over the weeks and days heading into Election Day, I was extremely confident that the United States was tired of what they had experienced over the last 8 years. They were tired of the failed policies, both foreign and domestic, that had left us in such a predicament. The calls for change were loud, and the poll numbers continued to reflect that in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, etc. I planted myself on my couch around 6:00 to begin watching my election coverage with the hopes that I had something to hope for, with the belief that change was on the way. I felt good about my vote earlier in the day, the feeling that I was a part of something special, something extraordinary. The polls begin to flow in just past 7, with nothing out of the ordinary taking place. In my opinion, there were 3 states that would tell the tale of the night – North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. PA would be the first domino to keep my eye on, as John McCain had basically taken up residence there over the last 2 weeks, believing that he could make up the 10 or so points necessary to swing Pennsylvania into his column. However, it didn’t take long for Pennsylvania to be called for Obama. The polling data had held up, and there was the first dagger in McCain’s hopes to become President. Virginia and North Carolina remained in the “too close to call” category, while the Northeast fell state-by-state for the Illinois Senator. As McCain carried the states he was expected to, and Obama did the same, nothing looked to have changed much on the map since 2004… until Ohio came in. Barack Obama had won Ohio, a state won by Bush, and his first state to flip from red to blue. And the route was on. Now it was waiting… waiting for the polls to close on the West Coast in order to make this official. And at 11:00 pm EST, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. We had said, “Yes, we did,” so we could now believe, “Yes, we can.”

And with this announcement, the reality of history taking place had now begun to sink in. Everyone is always able to recall specific moments in their life that are considered historic – where they were, what they were doing, who they were with. At the moment the United States elected the first African-American President in its history, I was sitting on my couch, watching MSNBC, sitting next to my fiancee, surrounded by 2 sleeping cats, feeling excited that things would now get better for me, for my family, for those I know, and for this country as a whole. As a supporter of President-Elect Obama, it was important to me, to believe that my vote did count, that my voice was heard, that the government was ours once again. However, I could never begin to imagine the impact felt by minorities and, more specifically, African-Americans. My fiance, an African-American, was overcome with emotion and tears at the reality that Barack Obama had risen to that level. For all the struggle and history that has stained the United States in terms of race relations, I can understand the significance of this event; however, from that perspective, I can never really know. But, with this vote, I can be optimistic in believing that the United States has turned a corner with race, that no matter the color or your skin, you can be elected President of the United States, and that the dream that you could be anything when you grow up does not ring hollow. The opportunity exists for everyone, whether they are white, black, yellow, red, green, purple, or gold can achieve whatever they desire, with one major obstacle now removed from their way.

This is the first step in the journey. This is the first rung on the ladder, of what will be a very tall climb to get the United States back to where it needs to be. But it was a very important and necessary step to take in heading in the right direction. The next couple months will help shape things as we head into the Obama Administration. However, I have the strong belief that things are ready to turn around, and that change, real change, for the better is here.