Former McCain supporters must rally behind future president

This fall, in this high school and across the country were frenzies of political discussions. One could rarely escape constant debate about presidential candidates, their platforms or even their television commercials. But now the election is over and Barack Obama will officially be the next president of the United States. And now with thousands of McCain supporters, or even George W. Bush supporters, still living in the country, it is vitally important that they should not continue to campaign to the detriment of the country’s future.John McCain received 58,421,377 popular votes in the presidential election. At the school mock election, John McCain even won by a margin of 31 votes.

But Election Day and season are over. The time to promote presidential candidates has come and gone, and it is time to put away the party pennants and boxing gloves. Our country is facing difficult times ahead in many ways, from the continuing violence in the Middle East, terrorism as seen recently in India and the now officially-titled economic recession. It is hard enough to have political dissidence during prosperous intervals, but now more than ever is a time to unite and put the election behind us.

There is little to be done now but support the new president and the country. Americans must keep in mind that the rest of the world closely watches as U.S. presidents come into office. The international community has waited with bated breath to see the outcome of the historic election, and it is watching now as Americans tackle the difficult issues set before us. This issue is not to be underestimated.

Obama himself addressed former McCain supporters in his victory speech. He said, “…to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too.”

Students and all Americans will still have differences in opinion, and continued debate is beneficial to the country’s future. Supporters of any political candidate should continue to influence policy by voicing their opinions and maintain the essence of democracy.  In fact, former McCain supporters can write letters to local government and elect local leaders who support their views.

In positive ways, Republicans and opponents of Obama can continue voicing their opinions, but attacking him as a person is neither warranted nor positive.