The last two years of hard work and perseverance have paid off for the former Senator from Illinois.  Barack Obama has been elected the 44th president of the United States in a landslide against Senator John McCain, making history as the first black president to serve in the White House. 

With a promise of change and inspiring hope in millions of Americans, Obama accepted the enormous challenge ahead of him in front of tens of thousands of people in Chicago, and millions across the country and around the world, late November 4^th.

Share your stories and reactions from the momentous evening here at Student Voices.

The Election Day we’ve all been waiting for is here!  If you haven’t already voted during early voting, today is the official day to brace yourself for long lines, cast your ballot and participate in one of the most historic elections to date!


 

As PBS' Bill Moyers has noted, if you watched the 2008 Presidential Debates expecting to hear a meaningful discussion on immigration reform, you were likely disappointed. Though much has been said about the potential significance of the Hispanic vote in this year's election, neither Senator Obama nor Senator McCain seems particularly keen to make immigration reform--an issue which barely a year ago was the second-most important to American voters after the Iraq war, according to Matt.org--central to this race. That is likely because neither candidate anticipates any benefit from doing so.

So if you're with most Americans, and want to know the real arguments from Republicans and Democrats, where do you turn? I began by reading each party's official 2008 platform, which you can find here (for the "Immigration" section, turn to page 46) and here.

A Times video journalist asked Los Angeles commuters what they would like the incoming president to address and focus on within the first 100 days of their administration.

What would you like the incoming administration to accomplish within the first 100 days?
 

Talking Points Memo reports that Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) was convicted today of making false statements on Senate financial documents and engaging in a scheme to conceal over $250,000 of home renovations and other gifts, which he received from William Allen, former CEO of the now defunct Veco Corporation, an Alaska-based oil pipeline service and construction company. Among the cozy amenities provided gratis by Mr. Allen were a new deck, garage, and Viking grill; information which Stevens, who maintains his innocence, failed to disclose to the Senate. The conviction comes one week before Stevens' bid for re-election against Democratic Anchorage mayor Mark Begich.

I recommend viewing this discussion with Roberto Lovato and Linda Chavez.  The intro includes a clip of MATT founder Lionel Sosa and follows with 20 minutes of debate that cannot be found within the normal cable news cycle. 

Mire la primera entrevista exclusiva de Sarah Palin, candidata republicana a la vicepresidencia, con un medio hispano, en la edición del Noticiero Univision con Jorge Ramos, esta noche, 21 de Octubre, a las 6:30 pm, este.

 ¿Cómo fue ella?  Comparta sus pensamientos.

Regardless of what you may think of this rule, please remember and remind others that, in many states, there is no campaigning (t-shirts, buttons, signs, etc.) within 100 feet of polling sites – you will be turned away. Become informed and avoid any trouble at the polling places.

One woman from New Mexico, wearing an Obama t-shirt, was turned away from an early voting site, able to return only after turning her t-shirt inside out.

You aren’t allowed to parade your political affiliation; something considered a disturbance, however, as referenced in the video, and the following article, voting while intoxicated is OK.

View the video from CNN of the woman who got turned away.

Read the article from Time about drinking and voting.
 

A common mistake in the upcoming election, according to some Latinos, is that politicians typically cast Latinos, as voters, into specific demographic groups, with certain beliefs, concerns, and subjects related to them.  However, as this video and article, from the Austin American-Statesman, illustrate, not every Latino fits into a specific voter bloc.  Latinos, according to age, upbringing, and other factors are holding a variety of stances across the political spectrum.

What is your definition of the Latino voter??

Watch the full video

Read the related article

"Capital" or "stock" injection is an alternative, direct investment option now being considered for the rescue of the United States economy. NPR's Chris Arnold has cleverly termed it "the Backdoor Bailout plan." On Sunday, NPR reported that at the last minute, an unknown individual or individuals slipped vague language into the bailout legislation which left open the possibility of a stock injection plan resembling the one that Britain opted for yesterday.