Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Election08

COMMENTARY

Racism not erased by Obama's win, real change still needed

“Change we can believe in” and “Yes we can” were some of the slogans used in propelling President-elect Obama, D-Ill., into the White House. Indeed, his win was both convincing and historic. However, what does Obama’s presidency mean for racism? Is racism in fact eradicated? What is the relationship between Sen. Obama being elected and the eradication of structural racism?

COMMENTARY

Winter's assessment of British government has inaccuracies

Drew Robert Winter’s column Obama could help U.S. see its faults (SN 11/10) brings up many good points about people’s hope for President-elect Barack Obama’s upcoming presidency in reversing damaging U.S. domestic and international policies, and with this feeling I could not agree more. Many of his statements regarding Great Britain’s political history, however, are misguided and downright fallacious.

COMMENTARY

Obama's presidency will usher in change, unity for America

It’s not hard to think highly of Sen. John McCain, especially when he is as gracious and high-minded in defeat as he was Nov. 4. I know that President-elect Obama wants to usher in an era of unity and healing, but it’s important that we never forget that Obama is the president-elect despite the fact that the McCain campaign promoted fear, xenophobia and racism because he believed people’s ignorance was the margin of victory.

COMMENTARY

Not voting might ensure 'greater evil' takes office

In a letter titled Voting not worth hassle if candidates not up to par (SN 11/6), Arthur Manoli gives excuses why his decision to not vote was a more educated and reasonable answer than voting. One of his excuses was that he would only be voting for the “lesser of the two evils,” so why vote at all.

NEWS

Bush to meet with Obama, prepare for transition

He’s known as one of the most controversial presidents in U.S. history, and with just more than two months left until he hands power over to President-elect Barack Obama, experts say President Bush will avoid doing anything to further fuel that reputation.

NEWS

The Youth Vote

They were everywhere on campus. In the final weeks leading up to the election, avoiding somebody decked out in Barack Obama apparel was about as easy as finding an on-campus parking spot. Voter registration tables crowded the area by the Wells Hall bridge, forming a swarming blanket of politically active students that turned the grass underneath their feet brown just by standing there for so long.

MICHIGAN

Democratic victory won't snuff Republican power

It could have been worse. Although the Republican Party lost the presidency to President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic Party gained significant leads in the Senate and House of Representatives, experts said the Republican Party fared better than expected.

NEWS

Bringing about change

Now that the votes have been counted and the confetti has cleared, it’s time for President-elect Barack Obama to begin contemplating the people and policies that will shape his administration. Obama began to tackle the first items of business Wednesday in several hours of meetings, during which he reportedly made calls to possible cabinet members.

NEWS

City clerk: E.L. had 65 percent voter turnout

Students who were gathered at the polls by 7 a.m. on Election Day had taken East Lansing City Clerk Nicole Evans’ advice: Get to the polls early to avoid the peak hours. “Students heard the call about off-peak hours being at 7 a.m. — so they all showed up at 7 a.m. and created a new peak time,” she said, laughing.

COMMENTARY

Poor journalism marred election

It is with a heavy heart that we journalists see this presidential race end. What a two years it has been! Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, the “inevitable” candidate and her spectacular demise, Muslims, mavericks, terrorists and — near the very end — a balding plumber named Joe. It has been a dizzying ride for all involved, but no more so than for the fourth estate — we purveyors of information who clearly delighted in the twists and turns this campaign yielded.

COMMENTARY

Voting not worth hassle if candidates not up to par

Even though Matt Damon may not approve, I chose not to vote on Tuesday. “Rock the vote!” all my friends kept telling me. It doesn’t matter who you vote for, as long as you vote for someone. The problem is that there wasn’t a candidate for whom I felt comfortable voting, even after months of research.

NEWS

Faulty tabulator jam delays E.L. ballot count

After a long wait for ballots to arrive at the East Lansing city clerk’s office, votes finally started to be tabulated at around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday night. “We had a little bit of trouble getting the ballots tabulated, but once they arrived, the votes were counted pretty quick,” said Barb McCaffrey, an election official.

NEWS

'Change has come'

History. It was the defining theme of the election season, from Hillary Clinton’s groundbreaking campaign, to Barack Obama’s historic nomination, to Sarah Palin’s arrival on the Republican ticket. And Tuesday, history was written again. America will have a black president for the first time.

MICHIGAN

Voters approve CATA millage, sale of local parking ramp

Off-campus routes are expected to stay the same after local voters approved a millage increase for Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA. The millage is for .787 mills per year on property owners over a five-year period, which, for a $100,000 home, equals $39.35 per year. According to CATA, the millage should bring in $4.75 million in 2008.