Jim Binder, Elgin "I don't know if he needs to do much different from he already does. His message has always been about unity. Perhaps now that he's president, more people will listen."
John Starks | Staff Photographer
After months of hearing Barack Obama accused of being a radical, socialist and even a terrorist sympathizer or John McCain derided for his age and judgment, the nation now has a new president in waiting as it faces tremendous challenges ahead.
Sensing the heated passion stoked during months of fierce campaigning, President-elect Obama and Republican nominee McCain spoke on Election Night of healing and unity. Here is what some of you had to say about how to come together and move forward:
"The new president has to bring the people together and knock down the bipartisan walls - and figure out the financial crisis ... I'd like to say we have to take race out of the question."
--Cindy Kreppein, Gurnee
"Obama needs to cross over and work with the Republicans and find some middle ground. ... They will have to be willing to compromise."
--Dale R. Bonga, Wheaton resident
"It's going to brew for a while. When things start getting done in Congress, then the wound will heal."
--Ondrew Hartigan, Winfield
"Barack Obama has such a healing way about him. ... Presidents have to go through give and take with Congress to get their programs passed."
--Shelley Richardson, Wheeling
"I'd like to see more politics and views in the schools. I'd like to learn what's going on. We're the future."
--Jenny Baker, Buffalo Grove, 12
"He needs to also include people from outside the party to be in the Cabinet."
--Esther Herry, Mundelein
"Just listen and provide forums for dialogue."
--Kim Osko, Elgin
"Neither of the candidates can give the people everything they've promised. The whole country is in a freeze right now, and we will need time to heal."
--Gene Golemo, Arlington Heights
"He needs to keep strong ties in order to make a stronger nation and economy."
--Winfried Cooper Jr., Elgin
"What I'm looking for is a Harry Truman. The government needs to be run like a business. You need a businessman not a politician."
--Stephen Burdette, Campton Hills
"Just take time and see what's going on before making decisions. Make people accountable."
--Bonnie Siems, Elgin
"The president-elect needs to make a case that he will help out every American. Not just his supporters or constituency."
--Fadi Shihadeh, Downers Grove
Richard Novinger, Aurora "Restore a bipartisan administration. The cabinet should go across party lines. He should put the best person in the administration regardless of [his or her] party. "
Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
Jenny Baker, Buffalo Grove, age 12
Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer
Fadi Shihadeh, Downers Grove "The president-elect needs to make a case that he will help out every American. Not just his supporters or constituency."
Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
Paul Thorne, Campton Township "For one thing, they'd have to work together - needs to control government spending - spending has gotten out of hand - be willing to work across the aisle, whether you're Republican or Democrat."
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Gene Golemo, Arlington Heights
Daniel White | Staff Photographer
Sharon Goodnow, Mundelein "I think his party shouldn't matter. It is what he wants to get done and how he wants to get there. "
Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer
Gail Rosen, Des Plaines "Give back the middle class the rights and dignity they deserve. Have a plan for educating our youth instead of funding it with the lottery."
Bill Zars | Staff Photographer
Esther Herry, Mundelein "He has to be inclusive. Everyone must be included, no matter what their nationality or political belief. "
Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer
John M. Hamilton, Chairman of Elgin Township Democrats "The man is a unifier. That is what he has been running on from the beginning. He stands and listens and has a conversation. You can see him thinking. He asks questions. He is an absolute pragmatist. That is what bridges the gap."
John Starks | Staff Photographer
Matthew Levin, Highland Park, age 16 "A few things have to get done. First, don't pull out of Iraq right away until we win the war. On the economy, he has to keep the markets stable and also try to create alternative energy, which will provide new jobs."
Daniel White | Staff Photographer
Bonnie Siems, Elgin "Just take time and see what's going on before making decisions. Make people accountable."
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Stephen Burdette, Campton Hills "You have to have a solid leadership credential in my opinion. That's what missing in both candidates. What I'm looking for is a Harry Truman. The government needs to be run like a business. "
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Shelley Richardson, Wheeling
Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer
George Churchill, Elmhurst "The new president should focus his energies on celebrating democracy and entering dialogue with all Americans."
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
Connie Sanderhalls, Glen Ellyn "Find the commonality, build communities, stop the fear!"
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
David Benson, Hoffman Estates "The elected president should ask all Americans what they would like from him. Then he should do his best to honor their request and make sure everyone gets what they need."
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
Winfried Cooper Jr., Elgin "He needs to keep stronger ties and work on stronger ties with the parties he has now in order to make a stronger nation and economy."
John Starks | Staff Photographer
Kim Osko, Elgin
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Mike Beran, Naperville "The election has created a divide, but if the new president can fix the economy, I feel other things may follow and become better. The markets and economy affect all of us every day."
Ed Lee | Staff Photographer
Toni Carter, Hanover Park Trustee "Continue to generate hope."
Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer
51st Dist. State Rep. Ed Sullivan, Republican of Mundelein "Barack is in a beneficial situation. He's got his Democrats now to go with his agenda. There's nothing stopping him."
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Dan Friedlander, Gurnee "Obama will need to appoint the best cabinet people available from either party to repair the economy and bring people back together."
Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer
Susan Baker, Buffalo Grove, at a rally for 10th Dist. challenger Dan Seals "Young people cannot stand the back stabbing. They need to see how people can come together. Barack Obama is already talking about issues we can all agree on - children and health care and safety and education. We need to be role models on how to come together and respectfully disagree without attacking one another."
Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer
Mike Sweeney, Arlington Heights "The president-elect must live up to his campaign promises concerning jobs, prosperity and health care. The only way they can bridge the divide is to do just that."
Bill Zars | Staff Photographer
Matt Rogers, Schaumburg "Unemployment, that's the big one. I think he has to find a way to create new jobs."
Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer
Mimi Simon, sister of state Sen. Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat "First and foremost, he needs to address the economy because that is a universal issue."
Bill Zars | Staff Photographer
Dan Duffy, Barrington "Obama says he will work with both parties, but I don't see it yet. He will need to reach out more to achieve some common ground."
BOBCHWEDYK
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