By By Adam Prestridge
Trying to beat the crowds, my wife and I arrived at the polls Tuesday morning just after 7:30 a.m.
Just in case all of the hype over this year’s General Election proved true, we wanted to be two of the first to vote in hopes of avoiding the crowds. Unfortunately, those crowds beat us and continued to flow in as we waited in line. In fact, the lines were even longer, snaking out the doorway of the Atmore Public Library as we left from casting our ballots.
Yesterday’s election lived up to all the hype as voters flocked to the polls early and often. Some showed their true loyalty as they initiated last-minute campaign tactics in hopes of earning one more vote, one that may mean the difference.
Some political analysts are predicting this year’s presidential race to be close, maybe too close to call. So, if you are reading this Wednesday morning, don’t be surprised if Americans still do not have a clear idea of who the next leader of the free world is. If history is any indication, it could be several days before the winner is declared.
Other forecasters are predicting Barack Obama to win the majority of the Battleground States, the ones that mean the difference on whether he or John McCain will take the Oval Office.
For those who did not vote and are not pleased with the results, don’t complain. Each American 18 years old and older have the right to vote and if you chose not to exercise your right as an American, then don’t whine.
No matter which candidate claims victory, this year’s election will surely be one for the history books and talked about for years to come. It has been the most talked about, highly anticipated election throughout the lifetime of a majority of the Americans who voted Tuesday.
In January 2009, when the new Commander and Chief takes office, whether it’s McCain or Obama, he will face many obstacles, especially dealing with today’s spiraling economy. It will be a crash course for either and there will not be much room for error.
God bless our country and its next leader.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.