Dear Editor,
The recent US elections dealt a blow to the momentum of right-wing conservative extremists and the Tea Party Movement. The results were even more significant, considering Republicans raised millions more for their campaign and felt confident, given the sluggish US economic recovery.
The anti-Obama documentary which was released just weeks before the elections grossed millions in revenues, but didn't sway voters. Obama's re-election validated his leadership and vision for a better America and most voters overlooked all the hype about race and "birther" propaganda, focusing instead on real issues, quality of leadership and what was at stake. As we watched the vast numbers of supporters who waited in the wee hours for the president's victory speech, one was struck by the ethnic diversity, all races, young and old - the Obama effect.
American poet Maya Angelou summed it up nicely: "I was over the moon to see the audience. There were about 60 per cent white voters, the other 40 per cent were African Americans, Asian, Spanish-speaking, etc. I wept at that spectacle; it told me that the pundits that continue in our country to try to polarise us, to keep us apart, are not succeeding. Americans are waking up not only to the truth, but the truth in each other. Hallelujah!"
Americans weary of the divisive polarising ways of conservatives are embracing a newer level of thinking and a social order that could benefit more Americans, instead of just a few. Even on election night when Obama's victory seemed imminent, business mogul Donald Trump (prominent Republican) went on an angry rant online, calling for "a revolution" and described the electoral process as "a sham... a disgusting injustice". He later criticised his own party strategist, suggesting donors' $400 million was wasted (by the loss). This is an example of the type of divisiveness the electorate rejected. The defeated Republican Party cannot move forward without fundamental changes to their base and ideology. They have to be more open-minded and inclusive and more socially moderate and modern.
Comments made about 47 per cent of Americans "feeling entitled", and overheated remarks about women and rape, hurt them a great deal. All four Republicans who made controversial rape comments were defeated, including the senator who said pregnancy from rape was "intended by God". He lost a seat which had always been held by Republicans!
The Obama campaign was once again very well organised, executed and very analytic. They studied demographics and consumer patterns carefully to identify potential supporters and went after specific targets. Volunteers and canvassers included many young people, some weren't even of age to vote. Social media was used effectively to recruit, engage and promote the issues; it was a useful gauge of support. Obama also attracted most of Hollywood's A-listers, and having former President Clinton as a key ally, who campaigned relentlessly in battleground areas, proved most effective.
The Democrats retained a majority in the Senate, but Republicans still control the House of Representatives; this predicts more hurdles for Obama's agenda. This time, however, more compromise and bipartisanship is expected. President Obama got very emotional, while thanking his campaign staff - a testament of his passion and sincerity, he should go down in history for all the right reasons!
P Chin
Canada
chin_p@yahoo.com
What winning means for Obama
-->
The recent US elections dealt a blow to the momentum of right-wing conservative extremists and the Tea Party Movement. The results were even more significant, considering Republicans raised millions more for their campaign and felt confident, given the sluggish US economic recovery.
The anti-Obama documentary which was released just weeks before the elections grossed millions in revenues, but didn't sway voters. Obama's re-election validated his leadership and vision for a better America and most voters overlooked all the hype about race and "birther" propaganda, focusing instead on real issues, quality of leadership and what was at stake. As we watched the vast numbers of supporters who waited in the wee hours for the president's victory speech, one was struck by the ethnic diversity, all races, young and old - the Obama effect.
American poet Maya Angelou summed it up nicely: "I was over the moon to see the audience. There were about 60 per cent white voters, the other 40 per cent were African Americans, Asian, Spanish-speaking, etc. I wept at that spectacle; it told me that the pundits that continue in our country to try to polarise us, to keep us apart, are not succeeding. Americans are waking up not only to the truth, but the truth in each other. Hallelujah!"
Americans weary of the divisive polarising ways of conservatives are embracing a newer level of thinking and a social order that could benefit more Americans, instead of just a few. Even on election night when Obama's victory seemed imminent, business mogul Donald Trump (prominent Republican) went on an angry rant online, calling for "a revolution" and described the electoral process as "a sham... a disgusting injustice". He later criticised his own party strategist, suggesting donors' $400 million was wasted (by the loss). This is an example of the type of divisiveness the electorate rejected. The defeated Republican Party cannot move forward without fundamental changes to their base and ideology. They have to be more open-minded and inclusive and more socially moderate and modern.
Comments made about 47 per cent of Americans "feeling entitled", and overheated remarks about women and rape, hurt them a great deal. All four Republicans who made controversial rape comments were defeated, including the senator who said pregnancy from rape was "intended by God". He lost a seat which had always been held by Republicans!
The Obama campaign was once again very well organised, executed and very analytic. They studied demographics and consumer patterns carefully to identify potential supporters and went after specific targets. Volunteers and canvassers included many young people, some weren't even of age to vote. Social media was used effectively to recruit, engage and promote the issues; it was a useful gauge of support. Obama also attracted most of Hollywood's A-listers, and having former President Clinton as a key ally, who campaigned relentlessly in battleground areas, proved most effective.
The Democrats retained a majority in the Senate, but Republicans still control the House of Representatives; this predicts more hurdles for Obama's agenda. This time, however, more compromise and bipartisanship is expected. President Obama got very emotional, while thanking his campaign staff - a testament of his passion and sincerity, he should go down in history for all the right reasons!
P Chin
Canada
chin_p@yahoo.com
What winning means for Obama
-->