On November 6th 2012 President Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term.
He won despite a stalled economy. He won despite unemployment hovering just below 8%. He won despite an obstructionist Congress. He won despite a deeply divided country. He won despite a Romney surrogate playing of the race card. He won despite the re-emergence of birthers, the Tea Party and even Donald Trump. He won.
His win in 2007 was nothing less than historic, but his win in 2011 is much more important. Why? Obama’s re-election is a win for every minority and woman in the country, regardless of their political or religious views. This election unseals the myth that minorities and women are incapable of running the country. We couldn’t afford what I call an “experimental president.” Had Obama lost, detractors could say, “Look, we tried it and it didn’t work. Let’s go back to the way it was.”
Obama had three plus years to run on his record, his successes and failures. We’ve had the opportunity to watch him govern, to dissect his policies, to see his strengthen and weakness, his gaffes and his singing. He won. He won purely on his record, whether you agreed with his policies or not.
Obama summed it up well in his victory speech. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, abled, disabled, gay or straight. You can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.”
Amen.
