There will always be a morning after.

It is over. 

It wasn't quite as long a night as it could have been, waiting for the results to be clear that is. The President has won re-election. Scott Brown was defeated by Elizabeth Warren. It seems Question 2 failed, but Questions 1 and 3 passed by large margins.

I am glad that at least the the victory was in both the popular vote and the electoral college.  The absolute last thing anyone in this country needed was another replay of the outcry after the 2000 election.

The House stays under the control of the Republicans and the Senate remains under the control of the Democrats, but without a filibuster proof margin.  Unfortunately a continuing formula for disaster.

The presidential popular vote as of 5:24 A.M. this morning according to RCP, President Obama - 50.2%; Gov. Romney - 48.3%.  I expect that to change, ending somewhere around a 3% margin.  A majority for the President. A slim majority certainly, but a majority nonetheless.

To those claiming a mandate, I ask that they be realistic.  To those quick to site a lack of a mandate, I ask that they too be realistic.  I ask all to take a long hard look at the election maps.  Not only the breakdown of the electoral votes, but the more detailed county by county maps.  

We remain fragmented, we increasingly are becoming a nation of urban vs. suburban/rural.  

Perhaps over the next few post, I may attempt to delve into an amateur's guide as to the how and why things played out the way they did.  Perhaps I will opine as to what I hope and expect will come of all of this.  To do so today though would seem more like pouring a cup of whine for the breakfast I have to buy (and it is to early in the day to open a bottle).

It is a day for the combatants, hopefully for all of us, to be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat.

Winners and losers will do well to heed the words of Thomas Jefferson:

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

The "minority", those who voted against the President must accept the will of the "majority", and the supporters of the President, and the President himself must always remember the conditions on that "will".

This country must, embrace the concept of reasonableness.  The elected leaders of this country must understand that you cannot govern always under the "My way or no way" concept.  Legitimate efforts must be made by all to reach a bi-partisan effort, with the goal of what is best for the Nation, and not just my party.

Each side needs to cast aside all events, statements and soapbox stances of the past four years.  While this may be easier said than done, if Congress and the President insist on the same methods and do not chip away the cement around their feet, we are all in deep trouble.

I am not surprised at the outcome of any of the results.  Disappointed in some, yes; but surprised, no.  Head, heart and gut were all heading in different directions yesterday, and have been for a long time.  

This morning, my head hurts, my gut aches and my heart (yes I do have one) has another crack in it.

Despite those ailments, despite my personal disagreements with some of the policies of the President, I truly and sincerely hope that his position that we just need more time for it all to work, does in fact turn out to be correct.

The statement in the President's speech last night that I agree with wholeheartedly is the fact that "we are not as divided as our politics seem."  I still believe that the "we", the majority of us, no matter or particular political leanings, each hold fundamental beliefs as to fairness, morality and the principles that made this Country great,  that keep this Country great and that must continue to exist to allow this Country to remain great.

In closing I will echo the statement by Gov. Romney in his concession speech:  

“This is a time of great challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation.”