Political History Made in America and at Home
Question of the week: Can Political History be made again in America?
I can still remember the excitement of the day when my son and I entered the voting booth at Cedar Lane Elementary School in Middletown, Delaware. I held his hand as we pulled back the curtains and together pressed the button to vote for then Senator Barack Obama.
Political history was being made in America because an African American man was on the ballot; and political history was being made at home because my son had entered the voting booth for the very first time!
Our son, Tayair, who at the time was 16 years old was too young to actually cast a vote or truly understand the significance of being in that booth. However, for me the pride was immeasurable causing my heart to swell and my eyes to fill with tears.
The United States presidential election was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Democratic Party nominee Senator Barack Obama and running mate Senator Joe Biden defeated Republican Party nominee Senator John McCain and running mate Governor Sarah Palin a wonderful day in American politics.
Did you know that President Obama’s total vote amount of 69.5 million votes was the highest amount ever won by a presidential candidate. The total of 131 million votes cast in the election represents over 43% of the total U.S. population, the highest share of any presidential election in U.S. history!
In 2012, when President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, a Delaware native, ran for re-election my son was old enough to vote. It was truly a proud day for me to watch him walk into that booth and on his own press the button to cast a vote for President Barack Obama.
To Tayair and our youngest son Malik, having an African American President in the White House may not seem like a big deal, but in a few short months each of them will have an opportunity to cast a vote for either the first female President or the oldest President of the United States.
It only seems fitting that this summer the DNC convention is being held in Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection” and it’s even more exciting knowing that just up the road on Interstate 95, history will once again be made in our country.
What our sons take for granted will one day be taught to their own children then perhaps they will understand the monumental significance of it all.
The historical events in American politics may never seem as exciting to them as it did for us. And unfortunately, they will never feel the emotions tied to it, however, the excitement of the election in 2008 and then the re-election in 2012 will forever be ingrained in my mind.
It will be a sad day when President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama leave the White House, but I trust and believe (as well as pray) that their Democratic predecessors will continue to fight for all Americans.
Despite the obstruction and overt disrespect for the office and that of President Barack Hussein Obama, I know we will look back on these days as some of the greatest times in American history.
History in the making
This election year has me worried for many many reasons….
yes, the rhetoric and hatred coming from the other side is causing irreparable damage to the country and making us look weak and stupid.
Just all of the paranoia and hate and fear mongering that is being spewed is just disgusting!
This is a nice post and I like how you included both candidates. But this election year is the worst I have seen as a voting adult. A nasty tone is being set and I’m not sure we can come back from it.
http://www.robincharmagne.com
Thank you sis, no, I think we have gone past the point of no return – God help us all!
I was extremely proud to vote for Barack Obama in 2008. My son was just a baby (7 months old) and we took him with us when we voted. I remember jumping up and down with joy when Obama was elected president. I was happy to vote for President Obama a second time in 2012. This time my husband and I had a four year old and a seven month old with us. This year I will be proud a cast my vote for either Hilary or Bernie, because I believe each of them is qualified to be President. I just am scared about the Republican candidate who will run against them. The Republican party is in really bad shape right now.
I was such a wonderful day and such joy and happiness filled the day. Too bad the GOP ruined what could have been the most prosperous 8 years in America!
So true.
Barack H. Obama was and still is my President. After all the man is sweeeeeeeet. . . I cannot wait to read the book that will one day be a movie about his life in the WH. Until then. . let’s clean up the stink that is surrounding us for the other side!
Yes, his book is going to be a number 1 best seller forever and I can only imagine the crap he went through of which we had no idea!