Well, that was a long night. I didn't think we would have the results for a few days but around midnight it looked like enough of the electoral college numbers were coming in so I stood by and watched. What I saw on the television as I switched back between CNN, FOX, and MSNBC were "reporters" who looked like someone either took their candy away from them or they just won the lottery. Is that reporting? They are all biased. They were all rooting for one side. They have bastardized what journalism used to be, and true, journalism hasn't alway been perfect in its long existence.
Today, November 6th we woke up to beautiful skies. Adults went to school, kids went to work. Not since Grover Cleveland became the 22nd and 24th President of the United States have we seen someone have a term, lose the next, and then return. That was back in 1885-1889 and 1893-1897 respectfully. Elections are the voices of the people, and just like in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and now 2024, the citizens of this country have spoken.
I'm not into politics, at least not the politics of today. But you know I'm not much of a fan of much of anything from say 1995 on. Those were the days before cell phones, computers, electric everything, and the internet. I would go back, what a stupid saying that is, in a minute. But while I predicted Trump's return to the White House I was surprised at how overwhelmingly he did it across the country. It wasn't close, regardless of the final tally of the electoral college. One thing that technology does do for the election night watcher is give that person to see how your state, country, town, and I think even street voted. Outside of the big cities and California, with 54 electoral votes, Trump dominated.
And while I say Trump it really is the American people. They have swung the pendulum from the far left liberal new Democratic Party to the right where I think people hope that we wind up somewhere in the middle, where I think most of us like to exist. Those extremists on both sides need to go away.
What else stuck out at me, while most media outlets portray the Republican Party as a bunch of good old white boys, is the power of the hispanic and black vote which came out strong for Trump. It will be interesting to see how the numbers are broken down and regurgitated to us depending on what slanted media outlet you follow.
The Democrat's, in my opinion, saw early on that Trump was going to beat Biden. They made a fatal strategic move. They bypassed democracy and put someone else up quickly, one who they thought could save the election, and that backfired. Whatever early momentum she had fizzled over time and the voters saw things they didn't like and pulled the lever in the opposite direction.
I hope for unity in the country. For me the bright light of last night was that my favorite politician, going on eight years now, is Tulsi Gabbard, is still active and will be a presence in the Trump administration. I don't like her because of her Trump affiliation, but what I have seen and heard from her. Hopefully she can gain some momentum and a fan base from the work she will do in the next four years and then come out strong in the 2028 primary election. During the last two years she made the move from the Democratic to Independent to Republican party. It doesn't matter to me what a persons party is because I would, and have, voted on both sides of the aisle, and in the middle as well.
We're coming in on the close of 2024. Soon the striped bass will be on the beach, hopefully, and then Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here. Then it's New Years, an inauguration day, some snow, and then the spring run. You're closer to the grave than the cradle so get over yourself and live the best life you have left remaining. And embrace the people you meet and close the divide that we have caused, or allowed to exist in this great country.