Two years ago, when half of this campus had yet to matriculate, the campaign for president began. The vast field swelled to include eight Democratic and seven Republican contenders. These hopefuls aimed to give us an election for the record books, and talk abounded of our first African-American, female, Latino or Mormon president.
After one of the longest and most expensive primary campaigns ever waged, the Democrats selected Sen. Barack Obama, while the Republicans went with Sen. John McCain. Today, our nation gets to choose one these men to become the 44th president of the United States.
The polls have Obama leading nationally: The most recent Gallup poll gives the Illinois senator a 13-point advantage. Polls, however, do not select the next president -- votes in the ballot box do. This election cycle has seen its fair share of upsets, from Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) beating Obama in New Hampshire to McCain defying the pundits and claiming the Republican nomination. Today, the two-year narrative comes to a close and we finally have the opportunity to write the ending of this long saga.
Regardless of who wins, this election will be rich in history. If Obama claims victory, our nation will have elected its first African-American president. So many generations of people have thought this could never happen, but today, our country might well change that sentiment forever. If McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) win, our nation will have chosen its highest-ranking female official in history. Palin, for better or worse, is helping to shatter a gender barrier that has existed since this nation's founding.
Meanwhile, Tufts has been steadily reaffirming itself as a center of active citizenship. As active citizens, it is our fundamental responsibility to participate in the democratic process by voting. Recent history has shown that elections have unspeakable consequences. This contest in particular has been focused on some of the most profound issues facing our nation: economic justice, the war on terror and universal health care.
America's progress in these important arenas will undoubtedly be affected by the country's choice in the presidential and congressional elections. Americans get the government we vote for, for better or worse.
The past eight years could have been tremendously different had there been a different president occupying the Oval Office. As the dust from the current administration begins to settle, the consequences of electoral decisions have never been more apparent.
Today, our nation will select the next president and begin a new chapter in American history. Make your voice heard and vote.
