Election Perspectives

by Brittany Grove, Nathan Madden and Josephine Varnier

There’s an old saying: “Two things you don’t talk about at a bar are religion and politics.”

That social contract was put on hold last night as patrons at Penny Lane Pub downtown watched with thirsty eyes as election results flowed in from the polls like pints from the taps.

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain were nearing the final hours of what will be remembered as one of the most influential presidential races in the history of the United States.

Matty Teasley glanced up from the amber beer in his glass to weigh in on the race for the 44th presidency of the United States.

“As somebody who’s been on the winning end as a volunteer on the Kane campaign, this is probably the most fun I’ve had watching an election and the most fun I’ve had in my life,” Teasley, 25, said.

As the evening hours wore on, the percentages of red and blue jumped back and forth on the televisions screens, jumping from large to small for each state’s closing polls.

And then it happened: The announcement was made over the air-waves that Obama had won Virginia, the first time the commonwealth had elected a democrat in 44 years. Analysts had said all along that Virginia would be a key win for its victor and the prediction proved accurate.

Just minutes later, McCain’s bid for the White House was statistically over and Obama was officially declared the first African-American to be elected to the office of President of the United States.

“This is the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen,” Charles Martin, 38, said. “I never thought I’d see this in my lifetime. [Obama] is the right man for the job.”

Record turnouts at the polls may have been the difference for Obama. A diverse mix of people of different races, religions and backgrounds turned in overwhelming support for Obama, who won the electoral vote 338-155.

Virginia Commonwealth University student Cara Parker woke up early in the day to cast her ballot at Evergreen Elementary School in Chesterfield where she stood in line for an hour and a half. The wait wasn’t so bad the 19-year-old sophomore said.

“For 6 a.m., everyone was happy,” Parker said about her first voting experience.
Although Parker’s vote went to McCain, she said she’s not too disappointed with the outcome because people actually got involved.

Seventy miles northwest of The River City, yellow, orange and red leaves were falling from the trees, releasing the old and embracing the change of winter to come, and the inevitable change that arrives each election year.

Charlottesville resident Amanda Grove, a 24-year-old living with Down Syndrome, cast her vote with the help of her mother, Marcia. A written consent stated that she had help pressing the buttons but was not influenced in her decision.

Grove’s story is a testament to the kind of involvement that this election has encouraged because for many, this was their first time to the polls but not because they couldn’t vote in previous elections. Rather, they finally found someone who pushed all the right buttons.