“The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy.”

–the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis

 

We all survived Election Day. Hurray!

A few thoughts regarding the election. Please DON’T stop reading–I’m saying nothing about the individual candidates’ personalities or policies. There’s plenty of that in your news medium of choice.

First, a personal reflection. I voted on Election Day, in the rain, at a local elementary school. I dreaded the walk to the precinct, when representatives of both parties descend on you like birds of prey on a field mouse. But no one said anything to me as I made my way toward the school. Maybe I looked like a lost cause!

But on the way out, those same people–some Republicans and some Democrats–some of whom were standing in the rain, called out pleasantries to me and thanked me for voting. More significantly, they were side by side, pulling for vastly different candidates, but talking with one another civilly.

That’s the way the democratic process should and actually does work, at least in most cases. It represents two of our precious freedoms: Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly. Did it get publicity? Of course not, because there was no conflict. It’s the arguments, pushing, and shoving that get the media’s attention, because they know that’s what sells.

With regard to the presidential election, the democratic process also worked. The American voter wants the process to be honored. Candidates go through the grueling fire of a primary season, become hardened and improved like tempered steel, and the best man or woman wins.

But in this cycle, one side chose to circumvent that process. Due to the late–make that overdue–withdrawal of President Biden from the race, the Democrat Party had just over three months to conduct an abbreviated primary and choose a candidate. That exigent circumstance wouldn’t have been ideal, but it would have been better than their decision to give the nomination to Vice President Harris … who has never won a single, primary vote.

I don’t blame her. Most ambitious politicians strive to achieve the highest position of power they can, and there’s no higher position than POTUS. Did you expect Ms. Harris to say “No, thanks” and take a pass on what could have been an unprecedented ascendancy to the office? Is there a politician in Washington who would have turned that down? I doubt it.

So, we are where we are. If you’re a Trump supporter, you’ve got him for four more years. If you’re not a fan of his, take comfort that it’s only four years. That’s a blip in politics.

Four years from now, both candidates will be new to the race. I suspect we’ll start hearing about potential “hats in the ring” by mid-year 2025, if not sooner.

One final observation. I know some people are disappointed, but I hope no one is despondent. The morning after Election Day, I saw a televised news report from the White House lawn. The sun was shining brightly and, by all appearances, it was another beautiful morning in America.

A simple reminder we have so much more to be thankful for than the outcome of a political election!