OBAMA MAKES HISTORY

By Kelly Estes

"That's our president!" students yelled in the library Tuesday night as Barack Obama was declared the President-elect.

Students also celebrated across campus.

"People were running up and down the halls and across campus shouting Obama, Biden," freshman Mary Huggins said.

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer," Obama said in his acceptance speech in front of an emotional crowd in Chicago.

"I was very happy with the results of the election, and I look forward to the change that Obama will bring," said Paige Summers, president of the SCU College Democrats.

"This is the first time I've been proud of my country in the last eight years," said freshman Dylan Baker.

Caitlin Corr said she didn't vote for Obama, but she "likes him as a person."

Jeri Vizza said he wished he could have been in Chicago at the victory rally, but it was fun to watch the results with his friends.

"I cried listening to Obama speak," said Vizza.

Jonas Pauliukonis, president of the SCU College Republicans, said he wasn't surprised that McCain lost.

"It just didn't seem like it was in the cards this year, mainly because of the emphasis on the economy as opposed to foreign policy," he said.

Pauliukonis said he commends Obama for appealing to moderate voters and hopes that the President-elect's cabinet selection will reflect this moderation.

Though Sen. John McCain was not victorious in his run for President, he spoke highly of his opponent in his concession speech.

Sophomore Chris Freeburg described McCain's speech as "eloquent and gracious."

McCain encouraged his Republican supporters to embrace Obama as their leader by "offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited."

In turn, Obama also commended McCain for a fiercely fought battle for the White House.

"Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves," he said. "He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader."

Arreola said this election should have a big impact on politics.

He said he expects Obama to nominate two to three Supreme Court Justices in his first term.

California propositions and county measures had mixed results for voters.

California's controversial Proposition 8 passed with a narrow victory of 52 percent to 48 percent of the vote. The proposition adds an amendment to the California constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

In the "Mock the Vote" election held by Santa Clara's Chartered Student Organizations, students defeated the measure.

"The passing of Proposition 8 is a travesty reminiscent of Jim Crow laws," Baker said.

Arreola said he expects that the amendment will be challenged.

"I'll be very interested to see the legal battle that is going to ensue," he said.

In addition, the highly debated Proposition 4, which would require minors to notify a parent before receiving an abortion, did not pass with 52 percent voting against it.

Baker said if this proposition had passed, "It would have been a serious setback for all women."

The high-speed rail initiative of Proposition 1A passed with 52 percent of the vote.

Also, 63 percent of voters passed Proposition 2, which forces farmers to allow animals to fully stretch their legs or wings.

Proposition 3, which will provide bonds for children's hospitals, won with 55 percent of the vote.

Proposition 5, the drug offenses proposition, was defeated by 60 percent and Proposition 6, which would increase funding for the criminal justice system, was voted down by almost 70 percent.

Both proposals regarding renewable energy were voted down, with Proposition 7 only having 35 percent in favor and Proposition 10 receiving 40 percent of the vote.

Proposition 9, which would give victims of crimes more rights, was approved by 54 percent of voters. An initiative allowing money for loans for veterans was approved with 64 percent of the vote.

The redistricting initiative had not yet been decided at press time.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate were given a Democratic majority. In fact, the Democrats in the Senate have almost enough of a majority to prevent filibusters, attempts by a senator to prevent or delay the vote on a bill, by members of the opposite party.

The debate period, and thus the filibuster, can be brought to an end if three-fifths, or 60 senators, so desire. Fifty-six Democrats now make up the majority in the Senate.

There were 254 Democrats and 173 Republicans elected to the House.

Some Congressional races were too close to call at press time.

Voter turnout neared record levels that have not been reached since 1908.

According to the Associated Press, American voter turnout was at about 64 percent, which came close to the high of 66 percent set a century ago. In addition, the number of young voters also increased significantly from past election years.

Prior to election day, political science professor Jim Cottrill predicted that young voters would turn out in higher numbers than ever before.

"There has been a lot of interest in this election due to growing realization that participation actually matters and that presidential policies can directly affect young people," he said.

Contact Kelly Estes at (408) 554-4546 or kestes@scu.edu.