PRESIDENT OBAMA WINS A SECOND TERM
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanSpeculation continued to persist up until the final few hours before the votes revealed the re-election of our current United States President.
After months of campaigning and days that never seemed to end for the candidates within the last few weeks, it is all now behind us with a declared winner in the White House.
We now rely on the promise of a brighter future as all the mud-slinging and finger-pointing is put aside. Former Governor Romney congratulated the President and in turn President Obama made the statement that he wants to sit down with Romney and go over his ideas and hopes that Republicans and Democrats can come together to work towards a more united front. Of course we all know that it is easier said than done but it is nice to know that the promise is awakening and a new day is dawning. Much work lies ahead for Obama and his administration.
Both men watched the evening unfold in their hometowns amongst the company of family and friends.
What it came down to was President Obama winning 303 Electoral votes or finishing at 50% with 60,482,607 votes and Mitt Romney receiving 206 Electoral votes, finishing at 48% with 57,679,798 votes. Obama took victory in the majority of the battleground states (NV, CO, IA, WI, OH, NH, VA, IL)with Florida still processing results but it has become clear that Obama held an edge. Romney took West Virginia. Obama’s strategy was well planned and seemed to work. Statistics show that 70% of all Hispanics supported the President and Romney’s comment earlier in the year about self-deportation of illegal immigrants worked against him to a degree.
This proved to be one of the most expensive campaigns in history with over $1 billion spent on television advertising alone.
Rumors were swirling that Hurricane Sandy caused Romney to lose momentum as Obama went into action earning the praise of Republican New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie. But as we all know, it was his civic duty to make sure that aid was on the way as quickly as possible in the eye of disaster.
Some other advantages for Obama in the crucial swing states was has administration’s bailout of the auto industry in Ohio not soon to be forgotten, and in Virginia, the black vote was almost as big in percentage terms as nationally.
With a new term comes inevitable changes. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will all be stepping down and perhaps others as well. New successors will come in to take their places.
The Democrats keep control of the Senate, however, the Republicans will hold on to the U.S. House of Representatives. Perhaps the combination is a strong sign that both parties need to work together for the good of the American people.
One of the major agenda items going into this new term is to focus on growing the economy and creating jobs. There is much to be done to carry out this progressive plan. At the end of this year, huge spending cuts will kick in and tax breaks start to expire inclusive of the Bush-era tax cuts. This could affect response to emergencies, air traffic control, security, after-school programs and education grants. A solution must be put into place to avoid this ‘fiscal cliff’.
In his victory speech, President Obama thanked each and every voter, congratulated Romney and Ryan on a hard-fought campaign for the love of our country and expressed extreme gratitude to his administration and his Vice President along with a deep love for his family and to all he gave blessings for their belief in him and support of him. He has listened to all, become inspired and wants only the best for our country and holds great hope for the future. It is best said by the President himself last night,
“What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on Earth — the belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another, and to future generations; that the freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for comes with responsibilities as well as rights, and among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America great.
America, I believe we can build on the progress we’ve made, and continue to fight for new jobs, and new opportunity, and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founding — the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, or what you look like, or where you love — it doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white, or Hispanic or Asian, or Native American, or young or old, or rich or poor, abled, disabled, gay or straight — you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.
I believe we can seize this future together — because we are not as divided as our politics suggest; we’re not as cynical as the pundits believe; we are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions; and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and forever will be, the United States of America. And together, with your help, and God’s grace, we will continue our journey forward, and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on Earth. “
PHOTO CREDITS: Associated Press, Phillip Andrews/Reuters, Leslie Dumas
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