Barack Obama won the United States’ presidency in a feat that will massively reshape the political landscape and impact race relations for generations to come.

Crossing the campus Tuesday night, joyous shouts and car honking could be heard as Whitman erupted in jubilation.

Viewing parties, both spontaneous and planned, assembled in private houses, residence halls and the Reid Campus Center in order to watch the results stream in.

“I have to say this is the best day of my life. I’ve never felt more patriotic in my life –– not on 9/11, not on 9/12 –– this is it, far and away,” said first-year Brady Klopfer, after watching Obama’s acceptance speech in Reid.

Similar sentiments were shared by many students, including junior Clara van Eck.

“I am so happy. I am so incredibly happy. Winning Virginia is huge. This means that we’re re-taking the South, and that means there’ll be a lot more Democratic presidents. This is the beginning of the end for the Republican party stronghold in the South.”

About an hour after Presidential-Elect Obama delivered his victory speech, hundreds of Whitman students peaceably assembled in front of Memorial Building to celebrate the historic victory.

A march followed, occupying the full width of Boyer and Main Streets, making a pit stop at the local Democratic headquarters, before ending at the plaza of Main St. and 1st Ave.

There, gathered under a star-studded sky and banner, students engaged in shouts of “Yes we can,” and immersed themselves in a rhetorical frenzy.

After heading back to the campus, the rally headed to the library, where hundreds of students crowded around the entrance, waving banners and spontaneously bursting into the national anthem.

The overwhelming size and energy of the crowd was effectively summed up by senior Julia Leavitt, sharing a thought many expressed throughout the night.

“This is definitely the biggest thing I’ve ever seen at Whitman : even bigger than Beer Mile.”

The event was chiefly organized by a triumvirate of juniors: Amy Chapman, Sam Chasan and Seth Bergeson. These students felt that something truly did change that Tuesday night.

“This victory has restored my faith in humanity, and this march has restored my faith in the Whitman campus,” Chapman said.

Yet, the organizers were also quick to point out that this victory meant a beginning, and not an end, to change.

“Like Obama said, we have many challenges ahead of us. It’s up to us to support him and his administration in the next four years, and possibly next 8 years,” mentioned Bergeson.
Chasan concurred.

“If we really want to see change in America, we need to keep up the energy and passion embodied in tonight’s march, and remain active in the political process. If Obama’s victory has taught us anything, it’s the idea of “Yes we can” –– the idea that hard work and devotion to a cause can actually achieve something, and to see that culminate in his victory and this march is very inspiring.”

Likewise, other students worried that Obama’s overwhelming pledges, coupled with a decrease in activism, could cause widespread disillusionment with the fledging administration.

“The young people who voted Tuesday are the electorate of 20 years from now –– if they stay engaged, it’ll be a huge shift in the electoral landscape.   Yet, if it turns out that Obama isn’t the messiah, they’ll become disenchanted,” said junior Jackson Cahn.

Others, on the opposite end of the political spectrum, believe that this flagging support in the future could allow for a Republican re-take of Congress in the 2010 midterm elections.

“We’re already laying the groundwork for Republican victories in 2 years –– we’ve got to keep looking forward –– I hope to see a little bit more red the next time around,” said a McCain voter, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of upsetting Obama supporters.

Yet, as McCain himself has advocated, this supporter gave their measured support for progress and unity in the nation.

“I look forward to seeing what happens to the nation, and hope for the best. I wish no ill upon anybody in an Obama White House and hope that they have some success.”

Regardless of political affiliation, one cannot deny the historic nature of this election. Students all across the campus are truly excited to be active in these interesting, changing political times.

“I feel that in the Bush administration I had no voice, but, I really feel that Obama will listen to me, and listen to everybody,” Chapman stated.

“I’m excited for a new era of American politics –– politics that I’ve never experienced before.”