Thoughts on the Election

As I write this, the presidential election is over. Senator John Kerry has conceded the race and President Bush has been re-elected for another four years. The Republicans maintained and increased control of both the house and senate. And in my home state of Georgia, the Republicans gained both congressional senate seats and tightened their hold on the state general assembly.

In the aftermath of this election, there are several take-home messages that I would like to share with you:

1. Religion Matters! Religion matters to most of the people in the United States. It was the religious vote that propelled President Bush to victory this year. In a race with two markedly different candidates promoting markedly different world views, the Christian world view came out the victor, both in the electoral college and in the popular vote. Senator Kerry tried to court the religious vote in the waning days of the election, but his attempts seemed contrived and false. It was obvious that he did not share the core values or the core beliefs of the evangelical Christians, and that was what drove them to the polls in record numbers.

2. Voter Turnout! For once, the American public was not apathetic. Even here in Georgia, which ranked 49th in voter turnout in the last presidential election, we saw astonishing numbers of voters turn out to exercise their right to vote. Cathy Cox, our Secretary of State, estimated early on Tuesday that voter turnout would exceed 79%. Final numbers should be out in a few days.

3. Chaos in the Streets! Earlier today, when the outcome of the election was still uncertain and the threat of lawsuits and controversy loomed large, we did not have chaos in our streets. Our democratic process worked once again. In other nations, close races end up with tanks in the street and angry mobs looting and rioting. But not here. We may argue in court. We may take it to the home stretch. But we trust in our governmental system enough to let it work.

4. Terrorism! Regardless of the unveiled threats by Osama bin Laden, American voters showed up at the polls in record numbers, participating in the governmental process even though it would define them as political enemies in the eyes of Al Quaida. Most strikingly, there were absolutely no terrorist threats or actions, either here or abroad. I believe that the prayers of the saints kept the terrorists at bay and that God has protected our nation once again. We have not had a terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9-11. Terrorists have struck in Spain, in Egypt, in Israel, in Bali, in Idonesia -- but they have not succeeded in striking here. Let's pray that God continues to protect our nation.

5. Same-Sex Marriages! Eleven states resoundingly affirmed that marriage was between one man and one woman. All eleven measures passed with 2/3 majority or better, showing that this nation is firmly rooted in traditional Judeo-Christian ethics and values. While the media may proclaim that most American support same-sex unions and while the courts may strike down these laws, the people of this nation have stood firm and voiced their opinion.