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Originally Posted by Kpt. Lehmann
Gloat as much as you like and enjoy the day.
A five to seven percent margin of victory certainly does not constitute any sort of demonstration that the Republicans have had their asses handed to them.
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Bad loser, eh? Election the past two times were much closer, and the Democrats defeat with law files and scandals and narrow margin and what else there was, really was blown up. but the other way around is not so pleasant, hm?
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However, by electoral votes it is a very clear and decisive victory for Obama, and the democratic vote at least is not so close as the last times. I think, this is needed, for whoever would have become president, probbaly no president before, with the maybe exception of WWII, has to face such a big heap of troubles lying ahead of gim. There is the mortgage left by bush, the loss of trust and reputation internationally, several desperately needed inner reforms, a polarised society with some unforgiving Republican camps, there are many wounds to heal and the need of reaching out hands again. A weak president would have found that impossible maybe, so a strong vote for the new one really was in need.
As American, i would think the far better choice has won. As a European I would have preferred MacCain, it would have been easier for Europe to refuse demands he would have made, namely on defense and war participation, than it will be with Obama. However, Europe will make demands in return as well, namely on energy and climate issues. with Obama relations will be less empotional and hateful as it was 4 and 5 years ago, and the tone of relations will become better, no doubt, but I am just waiting for the unbelieving eyes here in europe when he starts making the demands that over here most people do not seem to expect coming.
Russia is not happy. Obama does not fit their schemes, and they fear he could turn out to be as hard a rock to move and as patriotic and motivating for americans, like Kennedy was. Kennedy they also have not in good memory, for obvious reasons. For russia, Obama appears as the greater risk, compared to McCain, who may be a cold warrior, but that is a scheme they are familiar with.
What will become of the Republicans. McCain is unlikely to become the next leader of the party, he is too old, and now he is burnt. Palin? She has a small camp supporting her,e but beyond that I cannot see her being allowed to play a major role, she has build her bad reputation, and she is simply dumb. Her ambitions are higher than her abilities, and if that will be enough to carry her to higher flight levels remains to be seen, I doubt it. Who else is there? There were several surprise defeats in senate and house elections as well, and currently the Republicans appear to be headless. Maybe they would be wise to form a new leadership and practice a radical exchnage of generation, like the Democrats did with Obama, and then not hunkering down with steel helmets and engaging in ideological trench warfare, but accept Obama's hand for cooperation and healing of america''s wide gap between the two. Obama for the time to come does not need them, the democratic victory is total and complete, but I tell you that he will try to offer his hand to the Republicans as far as is possible without giving up major projects of himself. The reds would be well-advised to accept it. Else they could kick themselves into the offsides for many years to come. Overly ambitious individuals in their rows they better keep under tight control, therefor.