Yesterday's Vote: Today Brings Significant Change

(Associated Press)

Staying up till 3:00am this morning watching the election coverage has me heavy-eyed this morning. But, here are a few thoughts on the election.

First of all, congratulations to Obama and to his campaign. As McCain said in his speech, and I agree with him, Obama deserves the utmost respect for his victory. He campaigned well, focusing on the states that meant a lot for him when it came to electoral votes. As well, as much as I don't align with his views and ideas for the country, I do believe that his election breathes some life and breath into the minority groups in the US - that the US is not a place where one can think that things will never change or they will never have a voice. To what extent Obama will be a voice for these minority groups is yet to be seen, but symbolically there is no doubt that it is a significant occasion.

It is significant that, while Obama won a landslide in electoral votes, the popular vote was close. Just as there was a weight placed upon President Bush to bring together a divided country, Obama (indeed, all of us) cannot forget that while he won the election, there are a significant number of people that did not cast their ballot for him. I hope and pray that they will now give him their respect and honor him as their elected president, but I hope that Obama goes on to earn their respect - for respect earned is more deeply significant than that which is due.

As most will note, this is also a significant occasion for the Democratic party, as they now have the majority in both the House and the Senate and now have the Executive office as well. While of course this is "scary" (to use words I've read all to recently in emails) for Republicans, the great beauty of this country is that it is a country where things change every 2 & 4 years. It is a country where the people can call their leaders to account. It is also a country where, while a congressman or congresswoman may be Democratic or Republican, they may often vote in contrary to the majority of their party - because they vote on their own conscience.

To Republicans, I believe this is the beginning of a significant time for them. I hope and pray that it sees the rise of young Republican's with a sharp intellect who can lead the way in the dialogue with Democrats on important issues - and through earned respect, make some significant headway in establishing the Republican image as one that is deeply thoughtful and responsibly vocal in the way they present their opinions and respect their opponents.

To those in the Republican party - both young and old - this election ushers in a time where they must step up to the plate and work harder then they ever have before. It is a time to present, in the best of ways - morally and ethically, an intelligent determination to what they think is best for this country . That the Republican party might become a party not scarred by scandal - as they have all too recently - but a party that earns everyone's respect (irregardless of their own party affiliation) for the way that Republican's carry themselves, conduct themselves, and interact with people from all different perspectives. Let this be the "kick in the pants," if you will, that makes honorable men and women out of a party that has lost much face in the last months.*

*No doubts there will be arguments as to whether or not face has been lost. I think the case is easily made. The scandal of Ted Stevens from Alaska. The lack of an intellectual response/reply to Obama's campaign and promise for change. The place of white supremacists in threatening murder and aligning themselves with the Republican party. The scare tactic phone calls and email forwards about Obama that are poorly researched or unapologetically misleading/misrepresentative of Obama. Yet, at the same time, there have been signs of Republican "honor" through the Republican (initial) opposition to the bailout plan, etc. By no means has the story of the Republican party in the past years been completely dismal, but it does seem that the armor has holes in it that need patching and there's a staggered step from one-to-many falls.