by Carlos Santiago

Created on: November 06, 2008

The time to exhale and reflect has finally arrived. For the citizens of our great country, as well as for those around the world who have been intrigued by our grueling electoral process, real change has finally come to the United States of America.

The uncertainty surrounding this historic Presidential race has come and gone overnight, and I can imagine that most Americans feel the same sort of underlying relief you might feel when finding clarity in a situation that has gone unresolved for far too long. I know I can feel it. This election has been one of those unavoidable situations, if not one of the most drawn out, stressful, and historic series of events we have collectively witnessed as Americans.

The election, the 800 pound gorilla in the room, is now gone from sight, so we must begin to adapt ourselves to the changes we have mandated from our elected officials. Its resounding results have sent a clear message to Washington which will resonate and form policy for years to come.

John McCain, a resilient US Senator who may live to age 100, will remain a major power player in the Republican Party, and serve well as an advisor on foreign policy matters for the incoming President-elect Obama. He ran an erratic campaign which will probably go down as one of the most confusing and worst run in recent memory.

A series of verbal blunders on the economy, along with an inexcusable lack of vetting (Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Joe the Plummer) ultimately led to the downfall of the McCain Campaign. His blunt admission, during the primary season, to not knowing much about the economy was a gigantic hinder on his chances to become President.

Then the banks failed, and our economy slipped into recession, and McCain, instead of looking to an experienced candidate with credentials in this arena, choose a gimmick running mate in Sarah Palin that backfired heavily with independents and intellectual Republicans. Democrats cringed, and supporters of Hillary Clinton flocked to Obama despite the attempt by McCain to hijack the female vote with the selection of the woman I call the "Anti-Hillary".

That the McCain campaign believed that this gimmick would work was a testament to the lack of good instincts and judgment that have haunted the Arizona Senator from time to time. This time around, the American people were not duked.

Barack Obama countered with a steady, intelligent demeanor, consistent message, and the wisdom to choose a running mate in Senator Joe Biden who bolstered

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