The Presidential Election of 2008

The Presidential Election of 2008 has now come and gone. There are many very happy people out there now that Barack Obama has been elected and will become the 44th President of the United States. No doubt there are many very unhappy and disappointed John McCain supporters as well. This election, like the last three, has been very contentious and has underscored the deep divide in our country between the left and the right. I would like to take a moment to address those on both sides of the political spectrum.

First, congratulations to the Democrats. You worked hard, chose a candidate that excited the electorate and captured people’s imagination, and came out with the victory. I would urge all Democrats to resist the urge to gloat and, instead, try to start healing this great divide in our nation. With a Democratic controlled Congress and a Democrat in the Oval Office there will be little to stop your agenda. I hope all on the Democratic side of the spectrum truly realize that now is when the hard work starts. Now, if things don’t improve, there will be no George W. Bush, to blame. I hope it goes well and President-elect Obama turns out to be the right man at the right time.

Those identifying themselves as Republicans are feeling disappointed with the outcome of this election. I will say to you the same thing I said to the Democrats in 2000 and 2004. That is, don’t whine, complain, and cry that you lost. You were not cheated and the election was not fixed. The media did not brainwash the masses. You failed to choose a candidate that excited your own base much less one that could win over undecided voters. John McCain seems like a nice person. I have a lot of respect for him as a public servant, war hero, and patriot. However, charisma is not exactly oozing from his pores. There is little doubt that the difference in style and oratory ability played into this election to a large degree. Couple these things with the fact that the sitting Republican President is one of the least popular in history and you have a recipe for electoral disaster.

I believe many good things can come out of this election for all even if your candidate did not win. No longer do little girls have to assume they have no chance to reach the highest political offices in the land. Sarah Palin, already the Governor of Alaska, would have been the first female Vice-President. Like her or not, she represents the new reality that achieving political success on the highest level is no longer out of reach for women. Equally important is the fact that people of color, be they of African, Asian, or Hispanic heritage, now know that it is possible to achieve anything. Whites remain the majority in this country. So, for Obama to have been elected, it means that more than just minority voters cast their ballots for him. This, even if Obama was not your choice, shows that many viewpoints on racial stereotypes have changed in our nation. While racism remains a very real evil, I think it does show real progress for our nation that so many were willing to embrace and vote for a black candidate. This, too, is a good thing.

In conclusion, whether your candidate won or lost, remember you are an American first. Be a mature and responsible citizen and maintain your respect for the office of the President. Teach that respect to your children. There is no room, on either side, for bitterness and hatred. Be classy and respectful in victory and remain noble and honorable in defeat. Remember that, despite it’s problems, this is still the greatest country in the history of the world. May God continue to bless America.

My best…