Barack Obama’s historic victory Monday seemed to validate the American people’s desire for change. If “hope” was the key word for the Obama campaign, “change” was a close second.

John McCain, on the other hand, “had trouble staying on message,” said Steven Hall, assistant professor of political science at Ball State University. “(The McCain campaign) just tried things, looking for anything that fit.”

Now that the election is over, many people are wondering just what sort of changes are on the horizon. There continue to be grim headlines on the struggle of the economy to find its footing, the urgency of two wars in the Mideast and the warming of the planet.

The president-elect mentioned several changes on the campaign trail that he will pursue — from bringing the troops home from Iraq in 16 months to promoting pre-school education. Often times, though, what’s said during a campaign clashes with the reality of the Oval Office.

Change will come, how much and how soon can only be guessed. But the question remains: What kind of change?

ECONOMY

Americans have slowed in their spending, credit is harder to get, unemployment is up because jobs are vanishing, and Wall Street is still in a funk. Stocks were up Friday, but plummeted after Election Day. Job one for the new president will be to right the listing economic ship.

“Infrastructure spending will be a huge focus,” said Hall, adding there will be a lot of things Obama can do in the short term.

Hall notes that big questions will be who serves the next Treasury secretary and how the $700 billion Wall Street bailout money is managed.

There are long-term concerns after the country emerges from the recession in late 2009, Hall said, such as the budget deficit and national debt.

“Long-term concerns are getting ready to come home to roost.”

Some people are skeptical about Obama being able to reverse the economic slide.

“I would hope the economy really improves,” said Carol Overdorf, community volunteer and home-school teacher in Anderson. “But I don’t see how he can control that. I don’t see how one man could.”

Todd Higgins, director of logistics at Comfort Motion Technology in Anderson, said he’s concerned that Obama will raise taxes on small businesses and also tax 401(k)s.

“Obama wants to start taxing 401(k)s to pay for programs,” Higgins said. “That stinks.”

He said the work at his small business may not suffer but profits would.

Higgins said he anticipates more government regulations on Wall Street.

“(Wall Street) will never be the same,” he said. “They got so fat and happy. Now we can fix it, improve it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

WAR

Voters evidently agreed with Obama that the war has gone on too long. Can he meet his pledge to bring troops home in 16 months?

“I agree with him (about bringing the troops home),” said Arlene Haase, associate dean at Indiana Business College. “The Iraqis really need to start taking care of themselves.”

She said she was unclear why the United States went to Iraq in the first place. Still, she wasn’t sure Obama could have them out in 16 months.

“He’ll try,” she said. “Sixteen months might be too short. We can’t sustain this (war) anyway. People are losing fathers, brothers and sons. We have to start pulling them out.”

Others felt unsure.

“The troops will come home sooner,” said Overdorf about Obama’s election. “That could be devastating to pull them out fast.”

She said she has a brother-in-law who finished his third term in Iraq, and a son who just joined the Marines.

“They wanted to go fight,” she said.

Hall predicts a measured response about the war when Obama takes office.

“He’ll be more pragmatic,” Hall said. “The situation on the ground will dictate when he can move.”

Obama wants to shift troops in Iraq to Afghanistan, said Hall, and this will happen when the Iraqi army can provide security.

“The war will end a lot sooner under (Obama’s) administration,” said Higgins. “When you have Iraqi forces in place, somewhere you have to cut the cord.”

GLOBAL PERCEPTION

Some of the more inspiring tributes after Obama’s election were well-wishers from around the globe. A poster in Rome said, “The world changed.” There were parties on Kenya.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent his congratulations, as did Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. By popular consensus, America lost some of its prestige under the Bush administration because of unilateralism. Most people see a return of that prestige.

“Perception in Europe was very positive,” said Hall. “World leaders expect an easier president to work with,” one more multilateral than unilateral.

Haase agreed.

“From the Caribbean to Europe to Australia to Africa, there wasn’t a continent that wasn’t touched” by Obama’s win, she said. “They see America in a different light. They think he can change the thinking of America.”

She noted that many people around the world see Obama as someone like them, and that’s why they welcomed him.

“They don’t feel like second-class citizens because of their skin color.”

Higgins, too, thinks the world view will change.

“To what degree, I don’t know, but it can’t get any worse,” he said.

PERSONAL

Everyone acknowledged Obama’s charisma and speaking skills, but some felt uneasy.

“He has charisma,” Higgins said. “A lot of people voted for him but don’t know his policies. They’re idealists.”

Higgins said he’s still concerned about Obama’s views on taxes. He noted that McCain wanted to lower taxes on small businesses.

“Go get money from the oil companies,” he said. “They have it.”

Overdorf said she’s on the conservative side.

“I’ve got a little fear with Obama coming into office,” she said.

On his charisma, she noted, “He’s talking to a group of starving people, and he’s got their bag of food and it’s empty.”

Overdorf said when she votes, it’s usually about moral issues, such as abortion and gay marriage, which were hardly mentioned in this year’s election but were cited as the top issues in 2004.

“He supported partial-birth abortion, and I’m pro-life all the way,” Overdorf said.

She also said she worries that Obama’s education policy will negatively affect homeschooling.

“In the long term, (Obama) could affect my family and choices.”

Haase, however, hopes to see positive changes in education.

“I don’t think (General Motors) is returning,” she said. “Anderson will have to do with intellectual resources. There are companies out there now that require technology and thinking.

“(Obama’s) policies will help people go to school.”

Besides education, Haase thinks Obama’s election points to a new direction for the country. Obama, she noted, campaigned on YouTube, making him more appealing to young voters.

“I’m hopeful, and I haven’t been for a while,” she said. “He represents something different, and he’ll bring that difference to the country. We’ll see positive change.”