Samhain                                                              Fallowturn Moon

President Barack Obama re-elected to 2nd term

An Obama victory.  A technical victory on a very technical climb.  Unemployment was too high.  His popularity too low.  There was a rabidly energetic right-wing fringe that gained real traction and power.  The economy struggled like a punch-drunk fighter, getting up, weaving, falling down, standing up.  It was the scenario in which an incumbent loses.

His campaign focused on battleground states with organizing at the grassroots level.  He managed to paint Romney as an out of touch rich guy.   The Obama campaign stayed on message.  It was uninspiring.  It was ugly.  But it was bruising politics at its best.  This one will be studied for a long time.  Especially if Romney’s persistent lead in the popular vote holds up.

The National Journal says this election comes with no mandate.  Well, duh.  A divided electorate is not going to hand out atta boys.  Nope, a mandate will have to be earned, if that’s possible.  I’ll settle for more judicial appointments, defense of the Affordable Health Care act and something decent in regards to climate change.

The lunatic fringe lost two probable wins in senate races with Todd Aikin in Missouri and Richard Mourdock in Indiana losing what were thought safe Republican seats.  They represent an anti-science, misogynistic, historical fantasy version of politics.  William Cullen Bryant would be proud.