CLIFTON — The people have spoken, and the people want Barack Obama.
On the streets of Clifton, Obama supporters said they "want change" while McCain supporters expressed disgust.
Randomly chosen community members recently expressed their thoughts about last week’s election and results.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Sen. Barack Obama took the 2008 presidential election. He will go down in history as the first black American president.
"I voted for Barack Obama," said David Dunkirk, adding "I never thought I would see a black president." Originally a Hilary Clinton supporter, Dunkirk said he expected "a Jewish president first, or a woman."
Dunkirk, representing the "middle-aged" demographic, is not alone with his line of thinking. More surprisingly, the open-mindedness of younger generations still does not prevent them from expressing similar feelings.
"I voted for Obama, but I didn’t think he would win," said Jennifer, who works in the Styretowne Shopping Center. "I didn’t think the world was ready for a black president," she said, adding "I think it says something about the U.S. It says we’re not afraid."
Mary, a 28-year-old Clifton resident said she didn’t vote, but if she had she would have backed McCain. She said she was not surprised the country elected a black president, "If not this election, I thought we would have eventually had a black president."
Peter, mid-20s, said, "It’s unbelievable that [Obama’s] president. Not in a good or bad way, but just that there is a black president," adding he voted for McCain.
Some of the City’s residents said the next president will need to address healthcare.
"I think the healthcare issue is big, because, well, people aren’t getting any," Dunkirk said.
"Healthcare is a big problem," said M. Cole, "Insurance covers nothing, and I would know. I am a senior. I am on disability and can’t work."
Ed, another Clifton disabled senior, said he expects Obama to keep his promises and promote a healthy America by cutting health insurance costs by $2,500 per year and to give those without insurance affordable options. Ed also said he expects Obama will also eliminate income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 while protecting Social Security.
"These are changes I expect to see," Ed said.
Others expressed fears about the economy when discussing the election outcome.
Jay Frank, a construction worker, said, "If we keep going the way we’re going, I mean, dating back, we are heading straight into a fourth depression."
Elizabeth Pachelo said her vote went to the candidate most unlike President Bush.
"I’m sick and tired of the way things are. I voted for Obama even though I didn’t do much reading [up on the candidates.] It’s time to move forward. This economy can’t get much worse. Healthcare is sad," said Pachelo.
"One thing that concerns me most is the state of the Earth and environment. When we are younger, we don’t really think about the future. But when we get older, we start to realize what we are leaving to our children and their children. My [child] is grown, now, but I’m a mother and it concerns me."
Some McCain supporters expressed worry about the future.
"I don’t like the idea of a socialist president," said Peter, adding "I don’t know, I find it disconcerting that I might be working my [tail] off for others."
There are 44,885 registered voters in Clifton. Roughly 32,000 voted, with Obama securing 17,956 votes and McCain taking 12,741.
