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Prior to Election Night, Senators, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton became two, polarizing figures. During our history's most observed, presidential run, they emerged to forever change American politics. Obama was America's first, biracial candidate. Clinton was America's second, female candidate. In 1972, a black woman named Shirley Chisolm ran on the Freedom Party ticket against Democrat, George McGovern and Republican, Richard Nixon.

Sen. John McCain represented the "old guard". His views sided with President Bush. He remained steadfast on his administration's stance on an aggressive, foreign policy, funding the five-year, Iraq war and abandoning domestic policies in favor of homeland security. He supported the reckless, government spending that destroyed America's middle-class. Before November 4th, he already lost half the nation.

The Republicans attempted to derail Obama by using dirty tricks. They created advertisements attacking his patriotism, committment to Iraq and questioning his religion. They called him a "Muslim", "unpatriotic", and a "terrorist". Republicans also berated his wife, Michelle and their children. They tried to provoke a response out of Illinois candidate. However, Obama refused to lay with pigs in a wallow. When Governor Sarah Palin openly challenged him, he maintained his dignity. He ignored opportunities to repeatedly attack the VP (Vice President) nominee. He ran a campaign on the strength of his committment to change. It wasn't just his saying. It was his belief.

Even, his Democratic Party tried to stop him. Voters pitted he against the more-experienced senator from New York. Clinton possessed a familiar weapon. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, won the black vote in 1992. He stepped into the forefront and said off-color remarks, like "Obama's race gave him advantage". He made his wife's gender the #1 issue. He made Obama's inexperienceness the #2 issue. He made a "black president" the overall issue.

Bill Clinton's intervention split the Democratic Party. But, his wife never capitalized on the schism. Obama kept his platform succinct and precise. He fought to "change Washington". Sen. Clinton's message lacked clarity. She also made misinterpreted statements comparing Obama to JFK and saying she visited Iraq (when she didn't). Her ambiguity led to a defeat. Nevertheless, her loss sat terrible with voters. She put on a brave front and publicly backed Obama. When she did that, female voters threw in their support.

Republican incumbents got swept from office on Election Night. Their apathy towards the middle-class came at a heavy price. Obama achieved about 2/3 of the total population vote. It wasn't going to be "the same old" anymore.

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
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