The elections are over, so who won?

Posted by Scott Bannon

If we remain a divided United States, then nobody.

United States

I’ve seen and heard a good deal of gloating and quick-jabs coming from my fellow Democrats since Tuesday night–mostly by personal friends but also from a number of newly elected politicians–and that saddens me. It’s unnecessary, counter-productive and ultimately a dangerous path to even begin traveling.

Tuesday’s election results were in no way an embracing of Democrats or a far left ideology by voters. It was a display of frustrations with the status-quo in Washington D.C.–a status-quo which includes partisan politicking and bickering into gridlock.

If we refuse to learn from history why do we bother to record it? In 1994 there was a similar big swing in Congressional power. It was a response to an increasingly left-moving course. Republicans called it a revolution and felt the big swing was an entitlement to swing far right and take the offensive in partisan politicking against Democrats.

And just 1 election later they saw their Congressional majority cut in half. Then halved again 1 election after that. Why? Because voters put them in to address issues, to end the status-quo of the time and offer something new. Instead, they went on witch hunts and increased the beltway gridlock with bickering and partisan politicking.

Democrats must keep this in mind. They have been elected to provide solutions and alternatives to major issues which have become stagnant in the public eye, not to begin fishing for scandals or engage in witch hunts of their own.

There is a grand opportunity right now for a restoration of civility and respectability in Congress. For politicians to once again refer to their peers, regardless of party as Distinguished Gentle[person] with sincerity.

Listening to Democratic leaders over the past two days and after watching the President’s response to the election results on Wednesday I believe both sides understand the stakes and opportunity at hand. I only hope they and the rest of us will begin extending hands to each other and get our great nation moving forward.