Public officials, civic leaders respond to elections

Mike Ryan
Staff writer
Published: November 11, 2008

According to the N.C. State Board of Elections, more than 4.3 million ballots were cast in last Tuesday’s election. Voter turnout in North Carolina was 69 percent; in Rockingham County, it was more than 76 percent.

Many people came out to vote in 2008, and many have something to say about the results.

Rockingham County Commissioner Harold Bass said the people chose the candidate they thought would bring the best leadership, and he is happy that Bev Perdue was elected governor.

Bass is ecstatic about America electing Barack Obama.

“I knew eventually there would be a black president, but I never thought I would see it in my lifetime,” Bass said. “I wouldn’t have voted for him just because he is black. I believe he is the most-qualified candidate, and I look forward to working under his leadership.”

The Rev. Clarence Johnson, president of the Reidsville Branch NAACP, was happy to see Kay Hagan and Perdue win seats.

“It’s good to know that we’re reaching a point in this country where race is not a great factor in something like the presidential election,” Johnson said. “It’s a historical moment, especially for African-Americans.”

Johnson said issues such as the economy, the war in Iraq, education and health care must be addressed. He hopes Obama will be able to move the country in a direction that better serves the needs of its people.

“This country has to make some changes,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping he has a successful term.”

Eden Mayor John Grogan said he is fairly pleased with the results of the election. He is delighted that Hagan won a U.S. Senate seat.

“She has proven that she is a doer,” he said. “I think she will mean a lot to North Carolina.”

Grogan believes Rockingham County needs to be more proficient in its next election to avoid the type of counting glitch that happened Tuesday.

“It must be frustrating to go to bed thinking you’ve won only to discover the next day that you didn’t,” he said.

Grogan is extremely satisfied that Obama won the presidency.

“It’s going to be tough, but it would have been no matter who was up there with the state of the economy both inside and outside the United States,” he said. “Obama will be a good listener. He’ll also be a real boost to our country’s image.”

Herb McClintick, pastor of Eden United Methodist Church in Madison, was not fond of the recent election’s political ads. He said the ads offered opinions about who was or was not effective without giving any basis to judge whether what was being said was truthful.

“I think the people who won were just more effective at getting people to believe what they were saying,” McClintick said. “They just said what they thought was going to get them elected.”

From a spiritual standpoint, McClintick said he always prays for the winners, no matter the political affiliation.

“I pray that they will be wise, honorable and honest,” he said.

Currently, what McClintick knows about Obama he has seen on television, and he does not give much credence to that. He believes this will be a great learning time for Obama and hopes the president-elect will surround himself with good, experienced advisers.

“I didn’t vote for him, but I don’t think he’s a bad guy,” McClintick said.

Reidsville Mayor James Festerman does not believe any changes will occur right away at the state level. He said the newly elected officials and those returning would face many challenges, especially with North Carolina’s rate of growth.

“They’ll have their hands full with the economy,” Festerman said. “I’m optimistic things will work out for us.”

Festerman said he has done some traveling recently and believes Obama has gotten a good reception throughout the world.

“People are really excited about this. There’s a lot of energy,” he said. “People are looking forward to a new start.”

Staff writer Mike Ryan can be reached at or (336) 349-4331, ext. 34.