Change in America

With the election finally over, and the outcome announced the next four years are on the minds of Americans everywhere. The future of the nation is uncertain due to issues like the economy and the war. Obama is such a different candidate than we've had as president before, that Americans can't stop discussing what the future will be like. In an editorial in the New York Times by Nicholas Kristof, it talks about how Obama is such a change of pace from President Bush. The argument he makes is that Obama is an open intellectual, so hopefully Americans will follow in his steps. If our president is clearly more interested in education, then the American people might be too. This would really help our nation with all the issues at hand. Kristof then compares Obama to other political figures, like John F. Kennedy. He claims they're similar because JFK was also an "open intellectual." Overall Kristof puts his hopes in Obama to change the future of America, which is what Obama's campaign was all about. So, we can't be certain what the future holds but we can wish for a positive presidential influence.  

"A defining moment...a different future."

Throughout the Presidential campaigns of 2008, one theme which presented itself again and again was the fate, the future, of the United States. Both candidates often made a point to appeal to make appeals their audiences regarding the future of the country, and why each would provide a better tomorrow. In our current economic state and political climate, Barack Obama proved the most effective, clearly after Wednesday, at delivering a future vision for Americans. In the above clip, Senator Barack Obama speaks on the campaign trail about "a different future." He first relates to his audience by detailing the struggles that many Americans have gone through and continue to experience. He sympathizes with them. He states the pressing need for a better future for America, and insinuates strongly that he is the best man for the job.

Though throughout his campaign Obama was accused of being an elitist, he shows in this short clip that he is capable of sympathy for the average American, and builds his credibility and pathos, both, in doing so.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/7712138.stm

follow link to view- "Washinton Diary: America's Future"

With the recent events of the election, I chose an article that addresses the new views of the American people and their general rebellion towards ideas of the past. This article by Matt Frei shows how far the United States has come on racial views and progression. Novemeber 4 was a benchmark for-out with the old ideas of Bush, in with new ideas of change. Frei also highlights Obama's utilization of the internet and taking risks through the establishment of field offices in long-time republican states. I thought it was a good summary of the differences in each candidates approach of the election and the involved weaknesses. I have definitely taken on a better opinion of politics due to this election.

Why I'm Looking Forward To The Year 2012

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iY73Kk8AwCmPjHrKEJ1WIPgv78zw

http://news.aol.com/elections/article/republicans-gear-up-for-2012-race/242287?icid=100214839x1213213347x1200780859

I don't know about you but I love presidential campaigns. I love hearing about all the gossip and news about candidates lives and their bids for presidency. I enjoy seeing campaign ads and reading about mudslinging. But what I look forward to the most, what I can't wait for, is hearing about the campaign for presidency TWO YEARS BEFORE THE ELECTION. I experienced that thrill with this election. With all the different ways that the media has in their arsenal to inform the public, it would be no surprise to me if I hear about the 2012 election in tomorrow's news. That's precisely what is entailed in the links above. They cover Sarah Palin's notion to bid for presidency in 2012 as well as listing who president Obama will have to confront in order to win the 2012 election. I still can't believe they're already talking about the next election even before the newly elected president has even had time to enter office. I don't feel like it is necessary to be giving so much attention to something that hasn't even developed yet. I'd like to think that I'm not the only one who is happy to have this election over with so I can have some peace and quiet from heated political issues over the presidency. I'd like to think that, but it seems like the media isn't going to allow me to have that peace of mind.

"The Obama Moment - America Looks in the Mirror and Celebrates"

As we all know by now, Barack Obama is our next President! This has to be one of the most unanticipated "past views on the American future," where many are claiming that they never thought they'd live to see the day when an African American would become President of the United States. In this article, David Sirota describes how the election is monumental on numerous levels - "the election of the first African American president, the success of a campaign that was more grassroots than any past, and the very bold progressive mandate the country delivered thanks both to the sheer size of the victory and to the candidates making clear this was an ideological choice between Reagan-ism and Roosevelt-ism." Watching the news throughout election night, and even the past couple of days, it has become apparent that the country has already become more united. Obama warns that "This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change," encouraging America to embrace the opportunity and see what we can create. As McCain said in his concession speech, "The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly." I never anticipated such an election would happen in my lifetime, let alone my first year voting, and I have to admit that for the first time in my life, I'm sincerely proud of my country and this monumental change that we've already created.

http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2008114505/obama-moment-america-looks-mirror-and-celebrates