Published: November 13, 2008

On Nov. 4, Barack Obama was elected president of the United States of America. This election was historic for a number of reasons. While media outlets focus on the fact that Obama will be the first mixed-race U.S. president, this election also saw the largest voter turnout in at least 40 years, according to the Associated Press. Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) students share their stories about and reactions to this historic election below.

Fariso Maswoswe, FCLC ’10:

“I am jubilant!!! This is so amazing, not just for African-Americans, but for everyone. I love this new found hope and inspiration, and I hope that this coming together is long-lasting, as we move forward to create a better America and a better world. For the first time ever in my adult life, I can say I am so proud of this country and proud to be an American.”

Andrew Padilla, FCLC ’11:

“Normally apathetic, this year my district became energized…without becoming educated. They didn’t educate themselves on Obama’s plans, but voted for him because he eloquently related to them. And they certainly didn’t educate themselves to see that voting Democratic 90 percent of the time means the party they so loyally and sometimes inadvertently vote for will take them for granted. The district I live in is no better than one in Texas that will vote for McCain simply because he’s a patriot, or a ‘Real American.’”

Robert Isabella, FCLC ’09:

“I think Obama won primarily because of the economic crisis. Because there is a Republican president currently in office I think a lot of people blamed the Republicans for the economic crisis. I’m very worried about the next four years with Obama as president. I strongly disagree with his economic and foreign policies. I’m very strongly opposed to socialist wealth-redistribution policies of the type Obama advocates.”

Anne Wimmer FCLC ’11:

“As a McCain supporter in a very liberal city, at a very liberal school, I’ve been met with intolerance and hatred from people who claim to treat everyone equally. I’ve been called a racist simply for questioning a candidate’s credentials and finding them quite lacking.

“People wear Obama gear all the time, yet I’ve never once confronted them about it; and I especially wouldn’t if I did not know them. I look at it as freedom of speech, and therefore it is their every right to wear that shirt. Why was it so difficult for some people to respect that from the other side, especially since they claim to be from the party of tolerance and openness?”