My thoughts on the election (if anyone cares)

[pghin08]

Well, it was the one outcome that nobody really predicted: a Democratic landslide (it seems as if Florida will probably go for Obama). As expected, the House stayed Republican. The gains the Republicans were expecting in the Senate never came, as Democrats picked up a couple more Senate seats. By all outward appearances, it was a good night for Democrats.

However, in my opinion, this was not a "good job, pat-on-the-back" moment for Democrats, but rather a repudiation of the social conservatism that has embedded itself in the Republican party. When you look at the individual state mandates on the docket, there was a definite socially liberal lean. Democrats should not be gloating today, at all.

This is undoubtedly a dividing moment for the Republican Party. Excuses won't do them any good. Blaming the "liberal media" and "liberal polls" for their defeat will only lead them towards more election day disappointments in the future. Introspection is the key. If they aren't honest with themselves as to why they performed poorly, then they've lost a great opportunity. It was clear throughout the night that the economy weighed the heaviest on the electorate. It was also clear that many, many voters believed Romney was better equipped to handle economic issues. The reason they didn't win was a tack to the far social right-wing. I've said it before, and I will continue to do so: the Mitt Romney that ran for President is not the real Mitt Romney. We saw that guy for a little bit last night during his concession speech, which was a gracious and beautiful moment. THAT guy was presidential. And that was the real Romney.

The demographic challenges do not get easier for Republicans. The female population is growing. Minorities are growing. The millenials (by number, the biggest demographic in US history) are growing. All these groups tend to lean Democratic. And as long as the Republicans maintain their hardcore social boundaries, they won't be making many friends among these demographics. The Tea Party, heralded by the right for bringing a huge victory in the mid-term elections in 2010, were equally destructive in 2012, with candidates like Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock putting their feet in their mouths.

My sincere hope is that Obama and Romney were truthful last night. Mr. Obama should recognize Mr. Romney's strengths, and should in fact work with him and incorporate some of his ideas (Mr. O, if you're reading this, Romney's right, ditch the estate tax). I hope that we can come to the center. I hope that Mr. Obama reaches across the aisle, and I certainly hope that there is someone on the other side willing to take his hand. For all of our sakes.

[mrveggieman]

Great points.