While we’re not the NYTimes, we have received a few requests for issues of the Nov. 5 Spectator, given its coverage of a historic moment in American history - but also a momentous occasion for Harlem and Columbia.

Any similar requests can be made at our office (212-854-9550) but here is the pdf version.

Columbia Daily Spectator November 5 2008 (PDF)

It was as though the skies had opened up after the end of an eight-year-long drought. Hundreds of Harlem residents poured into the streets, filling the air with their elated cries of joy. Dozens joined hands and dashed down Broadway declaring, “Yes we did!” Families and strangers alike embraced one another, forming a human chain along the sidewalks. When the sidewalks became overcrowded, gone went all traffic rules as people moved their celebrations to the middle of busy intersections.

“No more Bush! We’re taking the White House back! We’re done letting them billionaires take us down!” proclaimed one triumphant woman carrying a sleeping child in her arms.

“We’re making history!” shouted a young man. “This is history!” he stood on the roof of his car and threw his hands into the air.

“O-bam-a! O-bam-a!” chanted a group of young boys, break dancing as they sang his name.

Expectedly, the Columbia University College Democrats were just as euphoric as their vans trudged through the masses of partiers. They opened their van windows and joined in on the festivities, shouting, “We won! Obama won!” while unsuccessfully trying to hug one another in the cramped vans. Harlem residents flashed wide smiles and echoed the Dems’ calls with, “Yes we did!” Exuberance bound students and residents alike, uniting all sectors of the city behind a common source of pride. 

“I remember when we were coming back from Ohio a couple of years ago, we were talking about how in 2008, we were going to have a Democrat win the White House,” College Dems member Rachael McMillan, CC ’09, said. “And here we are. We won everything—our country won, our state won. I can’t believe it.”

Back in Ashburn, Va., where the College Dems put in the bulk of their toils, staff at the Obama-Warner-Feder office were especially appreciative of the Dems’ tireless efforts.

“I think that in Virginia we were blessed to have a top-notch field program,” Jared Leopold, communications director of the Democratic Party of Virginia’s coordinated campaign, said. “We were lucky to have support from people all over the place, including people from Columbia. I really appreciate the fact that these students came down and helped put us over the edge.”

Like Leopold, College Dems noted the significance of their trip to Virginia.

“I think this is fantastic for our country, ” Columbia University College Democrats President Chris Daniels, CC ’09, said. “I am incredibly proud of the Columbia Dems for all of their hard work. I think we managed to turn Virginia blue, and it shows the power of what young people can accomplish.”

“If you look at the numbers in Virginia, the counties that put us over in these races are the ones we were working in,” Columbia University College Democrats media director Avi Edelman, CC ’11, said. “It’s really amazing just thinking about the important role that our organization has played in making all of this happen. We’re a part of history.”

Hopefully Obama’s reign will in fact end this drought, leaving America’s darker days in its wake and instead bringing about a brighter forecast for the country’s future.

From photographer Kristina Budelis at local Democratic campaign headquarters at 105th Street:

From photographers Linda Carrion, Ian Kwok, and Mira John on 125th Street:

Photo by Linda Carrion

Reporter Christine Choi stopped by Bill Perkins’ watch party on a night in which the Democrats swept the state legislature. Also included are photos that photographer Linda Carrion took on 125th Street as Harlem residents took to the streets to celebrate Obama’s victory.

State Senator Bill Perkins (D-Harlem) was confident about the Democrats’ chances at his Take Back the State Senate Election Night Party in the Harlem State Office Building Tuesday night.

Perkins ran uncontested this year, but some other key Democrats did face down their opposition to regain control of both houses of the state legislature.

“I’m feeling great about this,” he said, likening the victories for the Democrats in Albany and the national elections to the end of a long marathon.

Congressman Charles Rangel (D-Harlem)

More than winning, though, he was eager Tuesday night to express just what a Democratic majority might have in store for Albany.

“We’re also looking forward to much greater efficiency,” he said, “much greater productivity.”

“There will be a strong focus on recognizing the economic challenges, and reconciling the divisiveness we’ve seen.” Perkins said. “This divide between upstate-downstate will be erased.”

A Democratic majority in Albany would shift power from the upstate and Long Island suburbs to the boroughs of Manhattan, according to the New York Times, with the possibility of all the state and assembly leaders coming from New York City’s five boroughs.

Reporter Claire Shapiro and photographer Tina Gao stopped in at the Columbia Political Union’s watch party and sent in this dispatch:

While visitors to the Broadway Sky Lounge munched on three hundred cheeseburgers Tuesday evening, other Columbians met in the basement of River Residence Hall for an election results-watching party, where the atmosphere was expectant yet low-key.

Organized by the Columbia Political Union, the College Democrats, and College Republicans, the event attracted mostly supporters of Barack Obama, a turnout representative of the now-president elect’s appeal among young voters that culminated in Tuesday’s election.

Nick Shea, CC ‘09 and general manager of the CPU, reflected on the high level of student engagement in this past election cycle. He said that student involvement was not “tied to a single issue or event” but rather inspired by Obama’s personality.

The audience erupted in applause when Obama’s Pennsylvania win was projected. They also greeted Kay Hagan’s victory in Virginia with excitement. Between cheers, audience members mocked the dramatic tone of the newsanchors. “They will make it look tense as long as they can” said Ian Crone, CC ‘10.

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), Obama’s opponent over the epic two-year campaign, lost the fight to maintain Republican leadership in the White House, but Lauren Salz, executive director of the College Republicans, said that the development will not constitute a fundamental shift for her group. As the election closes, their activities will not change significantly. “The College Republicans do not focus on activism … . It was never a large part of what we stood for,” Salz said.

An eyewitness report from the immediate reaction on campus to Obama’s victory:

About 150 students gathered outside the Broadway exit of Lerner. Police were called to keep the crowds out of the street. People were screaming, jumping up and down, chanting “That’s our school,” singing the Columbia fight song, climbing the light posts, and generally celebrating loudly. They were dispersed quickly, but the enthusiasm continued throughout campus.

Check back soon for photos from campus, Harlem, and various watch parties around the city as the results sink in.

Reporter Laura Mills was on hand for the election watch party in central Harlem. Here’s her report:

The atmosphere was undoubtedly optimistic towards Obama’s victory, and both people and animals (some dogs sporting Obama shirts) wore pins, apparel and flashy jewelry with Obama slogans on them. The crowd let out a deafening cheer when Obama swept Iowa, and an even louder one as the larger Ohio was taken. Anticipation still ran high, though, and the crowd was started booing at the slightest provocation, from the appearance of Giuliani onscreen to the changing of the channel to Fox News. Appearances were made by Jeremy Piven, the star of Entourage, up and coming rapper Mr. Cheeks, and acoustic guitarist Reggie Williams.

Minutes after all of the major news networks declared Obama the president-elect, a mass of cheering erupted on Broadway as a crowd of at least 100 loudly paraded south past Spectator’s office. Even the cabs agreed–they vigorously honked as they sped past the crowd. More updates to come as Columbia and America come to terms with the now definitive results of the election.

Another encounter from Betsy Morais at Obama headquarters in Chicago as the states continue to go his way:

I met these two guys named William. One of them was named William Reeves, he’s from Illinois. And then William Miller, a.k.a. “The Man,” orginially from Ohio, now from Illinois and Reeves’ cousin.

Reeves has been voting since 1968, but he said this election is different. He said he experienced this before with JFK, but he was too young to know what was going on. He said “This reminds me of that. He’s a transformational figure. This is going to change the world.”

He added: “They say you shouldn’t jinx it, but I’ve gotta say it. From the beginning I knew he going to win this thing. This has been propelled by the young people, not my generation.”

He said when he finds out who wins “I’m gonna take a deep breath.” Though he hopes Obama wins, “he’s going to have a huge load on him tomorrow.”