By Kim Hiss

     Three words. President Elect Obama. We don't have to say more than that to get a good conversation going. Whether you considered the last minutes of Tuesday night a historic victory or stinging defeat, whether you're excited about the next four years or planning to expatriate, whether you voted for Obama, didn't vote for Obama or chose not to vote at all, you're bound to have a strong opinion about the world-captivating outcome of the 2008 presidential election.

     I, for one, have never felt more motivated to get out and vote -- and I know that's true of a lot of people. I have a friend who volunteered to drive an 89-year-old man with bad knees to his polling place. He'd never voted in his life, but to him, this particular election was worth all the trouble. 

     I'm sure everyone read the interviews with Senators Obama and McCain in the October issue of Field & Stream. But I figure it's worth remembering the then-Senator's closing comments to F&S Editor-in-Chief Anthony Licata.

LICATA: Why should American sportsmen vote for you? 
SENATOR OBAMA: I think that when it comes to conservation, when it comes  to management of public lands,when it comes to access to public lands,  when it comes to encouraging access to private lands through various  incentives, my agenda I think is going to be one that is most likely to ensure that we have the great outdoors available to the next generation.  I don't think there are going to be a lot of your readers who look at my  agenda and say that's not the right way to go.  What may hold them back is their concern about gun rights, and I think  that if they have confidence that their gun rights are going to be  protected, and I'm respectful of the traditions of hunting and  self-defense, then I'm going to be their best choice. The only reason they wouldn't vote for me, I think, would be because they'd be afraid  that in some ways I would encroach on those rights. And I think if you  talk to sportsmen back in Illinois, they'll tell you that those are  traditions that not only [do] I respect, but I intend to respect.

     I do consider Tuesday's election history in the making, but I know we weren't all in the Obama camp. Whether you supported Obama or McCain or wanted to see Palin in the White House, how are you doing now on the other side of the election? -K.H.

Comments (1)

from Janet wrote 3 years 11 weeks ago

HOORAY!! Jim in MO: tell it like it is!! Also Jan (11/7): Here's another "bitter American clinging to her guns & religion" - big brother can pry my guns (if he can find 'em!) from my cold, dead hands. My President is still Charlton Heston. Although maybe we should all have voted for RALPH NADER!!

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from Shannon wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

I was disappointed, though not surprised with the outcome of the election as well. Like Katie said, I don't think that there will be an outright gun ban, however I wouldn't be at all surprised to see more gun registration, and taxes on guns and ammo going up. I think over the next few years it will be very important to keep abreast of issues and we need to make sure we write to our senators and representatives and let them know how we, the voters, feel.

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from Katie wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

That's one of the misunderstandings. He doesn't want to take them away, he simply stated he would try to enforce more regulations when purchasing new guns. Deciding which guns can no longer be sold is as far as he can get on "taking them away".

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from Lou Alexander wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

Well, it's over and I'm gald about that. I'm not a Obama fan, but like most feel that we need to see what he does. I figure he has more pressing issues at hand than to start yanking firearms. I don't think that it is realistic for a president to take away all the guns out there. The numbers must be astounding, plus without firearms, think about the states that depend on hunting as a major source of revenue. I don't doubt that we will see more regulation in the future, like that of the Clinton years, but the Feds at my front door wanting to take my guns isn't likely.

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from Katie wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

As they've all said, there's nothing to do about it now but support the one that was elected. I think the main reason some were so against Obama was because of issues that got blown out of proportion and were misunderstood. The only thing to do now is make sure to understand his policies and beliefs from him, not from heresay, and be prepared for whatever happens.I was disappointed in the entire election overall, not so much the final outcome, I am just taking it as it comes and waiting for the "change".

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from CDGardens wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

I am extremely upset about the outcome of this election. My vote was not cast for either Obama or McCain.At this point there isn't a choice. We must to try to live within what the electoral college has voted into place.Even now, I read post comments in other places that still reflect how uninformed people remain concerning the stance of Obama on issues. One very important issue - his beliefs on abortion.I am saddened that this country should sell out their principles because they want "Change." How are those "Changes" going to be acheived? I, among many ,I hope, would have liked to had more information about how President - Elect is going to go about these changes...

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from Jan wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

You are reading the comments of a "Bitter American....clinging to her guns and her religion"....I was heartsick when he won. Now, I'm angry! And you can bet that if big brother wants to take my guns....he'll have to do just that...TAKE them. I certainly won't be surrendering them.As to "uniteing for the good of the country" and supporting my new president....I have no choice, but my support will be conditional. And I'll be monitoring every move.I think it was Calvin Cooledge who said, "You can't build up the weak, by pulling down the strong."

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from Jim in Mo wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

Its business as usual, we must support our country now as before.Laura, "there's no way he can take our guns'? Don't you believe it. The only gun they can't take is the one they don't know about. I'll buy any legal unregistered gun I can find. I'm hoping my NRA dollars will be used to scrutinize every word this administration says concerning guns or hunters.PS, its the presidents VP that will be whispering dirty little secrets in Obama's ear about us.

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from Laura Bell wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

This was my first time voting in a Presidential Election. "my agenda I think..."? That doesn't sound very convincing to me that he'll help improve anything for us, and just one reason why he did not get my vote. I'm not thrilled with Obama, but I'm also not running out and buying guns and ammo like I hear several people doing, that's just a little over the top IMO. President or not, there's no way he can take away our guns.I guess we have 4yrs to see how country will do, maybe at least his VP won't go around shooting anyone. :D

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from d. wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

I feel like now the only thing left to do is everything else!

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from Janet wrote 3 years 11 weeks ago

HOORAY!! Jim in MO: tell it like it is!! Also Jan (11/7): Here's another "bitter American clinging to her guns & religion" - big brother can pry my guns (if he can find 'em!) from my cold, dead hands. My President is still Charlton Heston. Although maybe we should all have voted for RALPH NADER!!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Shannon wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

I was disappointed, though not surprised with the outcome of the election as well. Like Katie said, I don't think that there will be an outright gun ban, however I wouldn't be at all surprised to see more gun registration, and taxes on guns and ammo going up. I think over the next few years it will be very important to keep abreast of issues and we need to make sure we write to our senators and representatives and let them know how we, the voters, feel.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Katie wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

That's one of the misunderstandings. He doesn't want to take them away, he simply stated he would try to enforce more regulations when purchasing new guns. Deciding which guns can no longer be sold is as far as he can get on "taking them away".

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Lou Alexander wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

Well, it's over and I'm gald about that. I'm not a Obama fan, but like most feel that we need to see what he does. I figure he has more pressing issues at hand than to start yanking firearms. I don't think that it is realistic for a president to take away all the guns out there. The numbers must be astounding, plus without firearms, think about the states that depend on hunting as a major source of revenue. I don't doubt that we will see more regulation in the future, like that of the Clinton years, but the Feds at my front door wanting to take my guns isn't likely.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Katie wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

As they've all said, there's nothing to do about it now but support the one that was elected. I think the main reason some were so against Obama was because of issues that got blown out of proportion and were misunderstood. The only thing to do now is make sure to understand his policies and beliefs from him, not from heresay, and be prepared for whatever happens.I was disappointed in the entire election overall, not so much the final outcome, I am just taking it as it comes and waiting for the "change".

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from CDGardens wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

I am extremely upset about the outcome of this election. My vote was not cast for either Obama or McCain.At this point there isn't a choice. We must to try to live within what the electoral college has voted into place.Even now, I read post comments in other places that still reflect how uninformed people remain concerning the stance of Obama on issues. One very important issue - his beliefs on abortion.I am saddened that this country should sell out their principles because they want "Change." How are those "Changes" going to be acheived? I, among many ,I hope, would have liked to had more information about how President - Elect is going to go about these changes...

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jan wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

You are reading the comments of a "Bitter American....clinging to her guns and her religion"....I was heartsick when he won. Now, I'm angry! And you can bet that if big brother wants to take my guns....he'll have to do just that...TAKE them. I certainly won't be surrendering them.As to "uniteing for the good of the country" and supporting my new president....I have no choice, but my support will be conditional. And I'll be monitoring every move.I think it was Calvin Cooledge who said, "You can't build up the weak, by pulling down the strong."

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jim in Mo wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

Its business as usual, we must support our country now as before.Laura, "there's no way he can take our guns'? Don't you believe it. The only gun they can't take is the one they don't know about. I'll buy any legal unregistered gun I can find. I'm hoping my NRA dollars will be used to scrutinize every word this administration says concerning guns or hunters.PS, its the presidents VP that will be whispering dirty little secrets in Obama's ear about us.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Laura Bell wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

This was my first time voting in a Presidential Election. "my agenda I think..."? That doesn't sound very convincing to me that he'll help improve anything for us, and just one reason why he did not get my vote. I'm not thrilled with Obama, but I'm also not running out and buying guns and ammo like I hear several people doing, that's just a little over the top IMO. President or not, there's no way he can take away our guns.I guess we have 4yrs to see how country will do, maybe at least his VP won't go around shooting anyone. :D

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from d. wrote 3 years 13 weeks ago

I feel like now the only thing left to do is everything else!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.