B Ryder’s Bar and Grill was filled to capacity on election night.
“Every election we have a party and watch the polls and grit our teeth waiting for the results,” said Dennis Beebe, member of the Board of Trustees for the Kern Community College District.
Around 200 people showed up to watch the polls and news coverage on the bar’s several flat screen TV The bar was overflowing with several citizens gathered in conversation, drinks and what they hoped would be a celebration. However, the commotion came to a complete silence as McCain was seen on all of the bar’s screens walking on stage.
Frances Filize, an elderly citizen, watched with arms at her hips as McCain congratulated Obama on becoming the 44th president of the United States over the news broadcast. “I’m dreadfully sorry McCain has lost,” she later said as she shed tears. “I’m very disappointed because I think the security of the United States is at risk, and I disagree with many things Obama plans for our country. “I intend to pray for President Obama whether I agree with him or not because he is my president now.”
Bakersfield College communications professor Dustin Dodgin, who is also faculty advisor for BC Republicans as well as a member of the Kern County Young Republicans, was also disappointed. “Certainly it would have been great to have a McCain victory. It’s going to take four years to realize that Republicans are the party of job creation and a strong economy; if there’s a silver lining to this cloud, it’s that people are going to wise up and be reminded of that.” Dodgin also commented about the country’s future. “If the plans Obama proposed in his election are implemented, we’re going to have more tough times.”
Congressman Kevin McCarthy, a former Bakersfield College student, also wished the election had turned out differently. “As Republicans, we don’t put our head down, we wake up and work harder the next day. I also want to congratulate the Democrats on winning, but this loss doesn’t mean we change our philosophy. Our party is still at the core of American values.”
When asked about what he feels will change during the new presidency, McCarthy said, “The change Obama has promised is yet to be determined; I hope the real change is that we find solutions in Washington.”
Bakersfield City Council member Zack Scrivener was equally disappointed. “The interesting thing, however, is that during the last several weeks of the election, Obama ran on Republican, conservative principles, such as less government, cutting taxes and reducing waste in government spending. Unfortunately, too many Amercians bought into his platform.” Scrivener also strongly urged young voters to become more educated about our history and economics. “This election is a testament to the lack of education in those two areas.”
Assembly member Jean Fuller was also present at the event.
“The people of our great country have spoken,” she said. “While I’m personally disappointed, I echo John’s sentiments about going forward in a bipartisan fashion to tackle the financial situation. I think it’s going to take about two to four years for our financial crisis to completely stabilize considering it’s a worldwide problem.”
Bakersfield College student and Kern County Coordinator for the Republican party, Scott Raab, felt that this was a wake up call for the Republican party. “But Obama does love his country; he does what he thinks is right. Even though we may disagree, we’re going to get behind the president and as a Republican party work toward the next election.”