Election story- the day history was MADE!

Finally Our Vote Counts

Horns honked, people cheered, some danced, some sobbed, some even dropped to the floor in shock while other’s dropped their head’s to an upset defeat. As the 2008 President-Elect of the United States, Barack Obama was announced. Amongst the sadness and celebration surrounding who would be elected as the 2008 president 23-year old Sophia Tesfaye says she knew it ever since he won the Iowa caucus.

Tesfaye, political science major from UCLA says, “the feeling that night, knowing that 98 percent of the population was Caucasian and they voted for an African American candidate was incredible. I knew that if Iowa could vote for him then the whole country could.” It was after the results of the Iowa caucus during the primaries that Tesfaye found her belief in America so much it brought tears to her eyes. “That was the first time I was proud to be an American,” she said.

Tesfaye says she has been interested in politics ever since she can remember. In addition to having a congressional internship in Washington DC, working for the DNC, and interning at her congresswoman’s district office, she claims politics is her passion. ”It is the only thing I truly care about,” she said. The 2008 election is one of the most influential and historical elections in our nation and Tesfaye made sure she was properly informed about everything that was going on. Checking on a political blogs and never missing a news cycle was apart of her daily routine since the campaigns started.

On Nov. 4, 2008 Tesfaye along with many other die-hard Obama supporters attended an election party at her friends house. The celebration was toped off with champagne bottles waiting to be popped, delicious deserts, and a cake with the Obama symbol engraved in it. The front cover of the LA Weekly Newspaper hung on the door that read, “choose wisely” underneath pictures of Senator John McCain and now President-Elect Barack Obama. Counting down the exact second until the polls closed in California did Tesfaye’s premonition come true.

The challenges Obama will face going into office are so great. With the country’s reputation at hand his work will be difficult however, Tesfaye has great hope for him. “ I expect him to pass a comprehensive legislation that future generation will benefit from, similar to FDR and the new deal.” Tesfaye along with many other firs time voters believe their voices where finally heard, the impact the youth had in this election was impressive and an eye opener to politicians everywhere. “As an African American and a child of an immigrant I feel that I can connect with Obama’s personal story and he gives me inspiration. Now I know if he can do it so can I,” she said.

Although much of the attention went to the history being made on Nov. 4, to many California natives the controversial outcome of proposition 8 was the real shocker. The ban of gay marriages was passed by a 53 to 47 percent margin. Disappointed in the outcome, Tesfaye feels there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. “ In one way we can advance civil rights for one group but hold them back for another, but I am hopeful that things will change.”

The next president has his work cut out for him, and there is no telling if he will keep the promises he made during his campaign. However the young political savvy voters like Tesfaye are doing what they can to help create that avenue of change for the country.