There has been an euphoria in the country and around the world since Barak Obama won the presidency last week. Everywhere, people are piecing together a picture to understand what went right and what went wrong. Here’s what I’ve learned from this election 2008:

ISSUES
-Economy: Pocket books trump national security, energy, health care, education, and religious and family value issues.

ETHNICITY
-Political ceiling for minorities has been lifted. Hollywood next?
-With Barack Hussein Obama, an Arabic name, immigrant parents are no longer feared their non-English named children wouldn’t survive high school and have a chance running for public offices.
-People do listen to what you have to say beyond skin colors.
-Being mutt is now cool.

YOUTH
-Youths can be politically engaged and mobilized to do grassroots outreach and to vote.
-“Going green” resonates with the younger generations.

Fund Raising
-Substantial funds can be raised via Internet.
-Small Internet donors are more preferable than big financial contributors. The $5 to $25-monthly donation can add up to millions and translate into millions of vote; a million-dollar donation often comes with a string attached and brings few votes.

INTERNET
-Funds can be effectively raised through the Internet.
-You can mobilize people through social media like YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and blogs. But be careful, as there is still a digital divide among millions of voters.
-Instant messaging is crucial. Having a great email database is important.

VOTERS
-A new demographic voter landscape has emerged with many elements still being analyzed: ethnicity, age, gender, lifestyle, religion, income, technology preference, location, issues, ...
-Ethnic voters are now engaged and on the rise but their issues are widely different. Many are socially liberal but have conservative family and religious values at the same time.

ESTABLISHMENT
-You can actually advocate for change by becoming an insider of the system.

MESSAGING/IMAGE
-Consistent positive messages and offering hope can win.
-Not being your true self could cost you dearly (McCain became less straight talk and went nitpicking on negative messages).
-Grandeur (acceptance speech’s stadium backdrop, meeting with Western leaders) can enhance the image.
-Careful with the campaign fund’s credit card for “wardrobes.”

QUALIFICATIONS
-“There is no school for training presidents,” John F. Kennedy once said. Smart and a sound platform can compensate the lack of experience.
-Tall, good looking, and great oratorical skills (just like Kennedy) are definitely a plus.

VP SELECTION
-Any VP selection may not deliver the votes, but a poor choice could definitely hurt.

HOLLYWOOD
Get on their good side early to tap their money and talents to produce “kick**s” bio and Infomercial videos.
-Hanging out with the Saturday Night Live crowds may convince people that what they see is the real you.