This New Journey

From the time I was in high school, the one thing I looked forward to when I turned 18 was voting. Much to my disappointment, I missed voting in 2004 by only 8 days. I have such intense memories of the climate on campus that year, even in my own dorm room where both Bush and Kerry signs hung above our desks. I felt as if that election was my own, that it was my fight and completely up me and my friends to save our nation.

I remember that evening, four years ago, when every state had been called but Ohio. I held on to the faith I placed in the American people to keep our nation away from those who would harm it, and I believe that in 2004, the American people did just that.

Unfortunately, I was not as enthusiastic about this year’s election. I wish I had been; tonight would have more meaning for me, whether good or bad. I have so many friends who placed true heart and soul into campaigns this year – two of my friends running statewide campaigns here in North Carolina, and my best friend, now the press secretary for a US Member of Congress. I am so proud of the work they did this year, for giving of themselves for a higher cause. I know over the next few days, they will be catching up on the lives they placed on hold and much needed sleep.

Now, I congratulate our President-elect, Senator Barack Obama. I did not vote for him, but in this moment, I celebrate with him. He ran the best political campaign any American has ever seen. Acknowledging that money equals power and message, he raised three-quarters of $1 billion dollars, at the very least, allowing him the absolute advantage on the campaign trail. I also congratulate Senator John McCain for giving of himself for this cause and ending his run with class and dignity. Republicans, even as they are stereotyped as rich and despised out of an inherent connection to George W. Bush, are graceful in the face of loss and refuse to lose hope, the very message Barack Obama based his entire campaign upon.

Barack Obama is a superior orator, but diplomatically he has proven nothing to me yet, even with four years in the United States Senate. It is David Broder who wrote, “The Senate is not the real world. And voters know it.” Politicians are often disappointing, even those that can rally troops for the cause in millions. I voted against him because I saw no concrete plans to change this nation. I needed more than promises of change. I need actual change. I don’t like what I saw in the past four years, but I am also seasoned enough to know that a lot of what we saw came from those who were quick with words, but made the wrong decisions for the United States.

I hope. Just as Obama asks of us, I hope. I hope he’ll be what we really need. I have faith in the superiority of the human will to progress, but I also know it takes more than just words. As carried away as I can get as an American with power phrases and articulation, I know it takes more than a victory to truly bring about the change that America needs.

I am often teased about always needing to be right. Truth is, I’ve never needed to be right. I have just always had a strong intuition guiding my beliefs. There are things I just know, but cannot explain to you how or why I know them. And usually, I am right. Here’s the thing: I don’t want to be right about President Obama’s future as our commander in chief. I want to believe that the United States will be in successful hands, those entrusted to keep the beacon shining brighter than it ever has. For everyone’s sake in this world, I hope I am wrong. I hope that I am absolutely wrong.

If Barack Obama is not what we need, I hope there will be someone to step up behind him. Until January, when Obama stands on a podium in front of the United States Capitol to take the Oath of Office, I’m going to hope that the people who voted this election cycle realize the true state of our affairs. How important it is that we come together as a nation to free ourselves from tyranny of government and the ignorance of people.