President-Elect Barack Obama. Courtesy of Associated Content.com

George Bush, the economy, widespread distaste for the Iraq War and Obama’s promise of change melded in the country’s psyche, leading to a stunning Obama win.  For two years, the election’s dragged on, taking the country on a rollercoaster of excitement, the likes we haven’t seen in forty years. 

In the last month it was a question to whether Obama could pull off a win. And win he did. Obama received 364 votes in the electoral college to McCain’s 174. 52% of the popular vote, totally 64million votes topped McCain’s 46%, equal to 56.5 million votes. Over 135million people voted in this election, nearly 20million more than four years ago.  The numbers are staggering.

The youth vote was a huge demographic leading to the historic Obama victory. Anywhere from 49-54% of the youth turned out, with their votes going 2-1 toward Obama. 18% of the electorate were between 18-29. This year, the youth vote finally showed up to the polls. And together with nearly every other demographic, save people over 60, whites, especially those of small, rural areas and Protestants, went toward Obama.

The New York Times demonstrated best just how effective the Obama campaign was in turning the country blue. In a trend map created every four years, the Times’ illustrates the electoral shifts of each congressional district, creating a mosiac of red and predominately blue shades. The map demonstrates the changes in the electorate, showing whether that district voted more Democratic or Republican than last election. The sheer blueness of the map is staggering.

And what is a final look back at the election without hearing the final words of the candidates. McCain, in true election 2000 maverick form, gave an extremely gracious and concilliatory speech. His words were humble, his tone bittersweet and his call for unity perfect for a new beginning.

Obama’s speech followed perfectly on the heels of McCain. His words were nspiring, uplifting and laced with a sense of duty and heavy realism. He accepted McCain’s hand and extended his own to the whole of the country. It really is a new beginning.