How do you feel about our new president-elect?

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Jim Tiffin, Kathy Helms,
and Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writers

There were no disappointed McCain supporters in the small sampling of people interviewed in Gallup.

“Pure joy,” was the emphatic reaction of Cristie Sanford, who was commuting between her home in Albuquerque and her work in Chinle. “I’m cautiously optimistic,” she added. Although she admitted she was “almost at the point of being discouraged” with the country’s political situation, Sanford said with both the Senate and the House having a Democratic majority, she hoped Congress will work with Obama to make needed changes.

Kenneth Todacheenie of Tohatchi was also pleased with Obama’s election. Todacheenie expressed the hope that Obama will revive the economy and improve the situation for America’s middle class. Noting that most Native American communities have a high Democratic base, Todacheenie said he believes an Obama administration will be good for Native Americans.

“I think it’s great that we have a new president that will change the country,” agreed Lillie McCabe of Ganado. McCabe said she hopes Obama’s personal example of overcoming obstacles in his life will inspire all young people, particularly Navajo youth, to pursue educational and career goals.

Justin Gerry, however, sat out the election because of his religious convictions. “I didn’t vote,” said Gerry of Sanders. “I’m not politically active.” Saying he was trying to follow Jesus’ nonpolitical example, Gerry cited New Testament scripture (John 6:15) that tells of Jesus withdrawing to a mountain to escape followers that wanted to make him a king.

In contrast, Ricardo Zarate would have liked to vote, but wasn’t eligible. Zarate, who said he is applying to become an American citizen, said he is looking forward to voting in the next national election. But family members who are citizens voted for Obama, he said. “That was great. That was awesome,” Zarate said of Obama’s win, which Zarate hopes will bring positive changes to the country.
Window Rock

The outcome of Tuesday’s presidential election did not meet everyone’s expectations — reactions are mixed — some are almost gleeful, others disappointed.

Terdell Dawes, 25, of Window Rock said he voted Tuesday for the first time ever and is really happy that he did. He cast his vote for Obama.

“The reason why I voted was because I think we needed a change, and because, actually, he’s the only president I’ve ever heard of mention Native Americans. That was one of his main focus points, was helping out the Native Americans. I looked on his Web site and that was one of the first things that he mentioned. He said he wants a change, and so hopefully, a change for the better.”

Another reason why he voted, Dawes said, is because he believes Obama will help when it comes to health care for Native Americans, which he feels is sadly lacking, especially for the elderly. He thinks Obama’s health care plan “will be more beneficial, and because he’s a minority, I think he’ll help us a lot. That’s what motivated me to vote,” he said.

Homer Ashley, 63 of Window Rock said he voted for McCain.

“We got beat, but I guess it’s all right. I thought maybe he was a better person than Obama, so I voted for him. He’s a Vietnam veteran and he knows all the background of the other countries. That’s one of the reasons why I voted him, because he has more experience than Obama. That’s the way I felt,” he said.

Lee Bitsuie of Steamboat, a Republican and Army veteran with the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam, said that although he voted for McCain, “It wasn’t really a hard loss. I’m very comfortable with the outcome of the election. The Republicans have been in office too long, and I felt maybe there is a change needed. I think it was time for Republicans to do a little rest.”

However, he does have one worry about Obama. “I’m very concerned about national security issues. That’s the only thing that bothers me.” He’s worried about other countries with nuclear weapons and said he has a feeling that “something is about to happen, and nationally, I think it’s going to be hurting somewhere.”
Grants

Tamara Gallegos, a Democrat, was pleased that Barack Obama is the president-elect.

“I am hopeful it works out. I hope he takes us in a new directions and turns this economy around,” she said. “I hope he brings our soldiers home — those men and women need to come home.”

A little disappointed but not overly so, was the reaction of Isaiah Jaramillo, 18, a first time voter. He is a Democrat that voted for John McCain.

“I just think we needed to fix some things before we make changes,” he said, referring to Obama’s political platform of change. “Change with Obama could be good if it is done right, if he does it right. I think no matter who the president, all the citizens should back him.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, election results showed that Obama received 349 Electoral College votes to McCain’s 162. “He must be qualified if that many people voted for him,” Jaramillo said.

Kathleen Webb, a long time, die-hard Democrat said: “I am exhilarated. It’s time we get this country back on its feet.”

Webb said she thinks President-elect Obama is aware of everything that is going on, domestically and internationally.

“I think he is a bright, astute young man,” she said. “He has inherited a large plate, which shouldn’t have been made in the first place. I think it’s good that we have an African-American president. It’s time this country grew up. You shouldn’t go by a person’s color.

“Obama faces a huge, unprecedented job,” she said. “He will succeed beyond all the pundits. He will be totally different as president than that little man from Arizona (McCain). All he ever did was vote with President Bush. I think he will have more trouble with the Democrats than Republicans because he is so bipartisan.

“This is a bright day. The sun is out,” she said. “I really look forward to it (Obama’s presidency).”

“Well, we will just have to wait and see how the man does,” Birdye Abraham, a Republican, said. “We have to give him the benefit of the doubt.”