Unexpected result headlines Election Day

Polls were closed and Americans everywhere sported their new ‘I voted’ sticker for the 2016 presidential election. Voters across the nation glued their eyes to the television and favorite online news sites, anxiously waiting for the results, Nov. 8.

Throughout the night, Donald Trump seemed to be in the lead. The question in the back of everyone’s mind was: Would the Trump lead hold up against Secretary Hillary Clinton? Depending on what news source one was watching, different predictions were given.

With media overtaken by multiple news sources, Americans have a wide scope of perspectives to hear from that are influenced by political bias. CNN for example tailored their predictions and analytics towards the favor of Clinton. Throughout the night, political analysts presented data from previous Democratic victories, attempting to find or drum up hope for Clinton. As the night drew long, they procrastinated in admitting Trump’s lead was too much to overcome.

NBC News presented it’s side on the whole other end of the spectrum. They concluded that Trump showed strength in more states than expected. Some states’ vote were more important than others. The last president that didn’t win Ohio who was elected into office was JFK back in 1960. Trump took Ohio.

Some NBC political commentators also questioned our current voting system. Due to the even amount of electoral votes, there is the possibility of a tie. Although the chance is astronomical and improbable, the odds of a tie should not be a possibility. There was some discussion about whether or not changes would be made to the electoral process in the near future. The concluding thought was that, although it may not be the best system, it is the one we have and the one that we have to use.

With as much anticipation as the 2016 election had, international coverage of the night was also televised. BBC was present at the Trump HQ in New York, New York, as they were interviewing people at the event. While they indeed were at the Trump HQ, their views were not necessarily Republican. As they were interviewing spectators and Trump supporters, many questions showed Trump in a negative light. They referred to many of his offensive comments about illegal immigration and building a wall.

Though it seemed at times BBC was leaning more toward the Democratic side, they did predict Trump’s victory fairly early on.

No matter which news source one was watching, one thing cannot be denied. Americans wanted change. A common theme found throughout all new sources was that Trump was attracting voters that were coming from rural areas. According to Wall Street Journal, 60 percent of the votes coming from small towns and country areas went to Trump.

Kayleigh Mcenany made it clear when she spoke on CNN last night that this election was the working class Americans taking their country back. For too long has the presidential administration been fighting for the elite instead of the people.

Results reflected this desire in states that are traditionally democratic. Trump stunned voters capturing the battle ground states of Florida, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He made history by taking Wisconsin for the Republican party for the first time since 1984.

As the night came to an end, Trump clearly emerged the victor. Dreary eyes were still glued to the television as he was introduced as the new President Elect of the United States of America. Trump changed his usual snarky and narcissistic attitude to show a sense of gratitude and American nationalism.

Trump respectfully congratulated Secretary Clinton on a well fought campaign. Following this he went on to deliver an encouraging speech on America’s bright future under his presidency. He expressed his goal to bind the wounds of division in the country.

“I say it is time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump said. “I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans.” Trump humbly invited those who disagreed with his views to come alongside him and help to make America great again.

The 2016 election results stunned professional political analysts and American voters. Not many gave Trump a chance to last in this election against Clinton. Instead of letting those doubts discourage and defeat him, Trump persevered. Through tenacity and unorthodox campaign strategies he showed what it truly means to be an American.

Whether voters are Democratic or Republican, now is the time to become involved in shaping our country’s policies. It’s time to become a part of the solution and work towards remaking a unified America rather than complaining who is president. As President Barak Obama called on the American people to be Patriots first, we need to respond and act as a community to repair divisions as the transition of power begins.

For the last editorial read, Editorial: Community support begins with involvement.

For another top 5 article read, World War II veteran perseveres through injuries, overcomes battles.