Election proves democracy strong

Did America’s fever just break?

Last week’s general election provided strong evidence that democracy remains strong in our nation, as just about all those who lost their respective elections admitted defeat, with some even graciously conceding to their opponent.

If only for a moment, the political rhetoric has cooled.

That’s typical of all our post-election cycles. Hyperbole, smears, fearmongering and us-against-them mantras all reach their peak in the height of a campaign season, followed by a more conciliatory mood in the days following the election results, when winners are “humbled” and the losers graciously bow to “the will of people.”

But that didn’t happen in 2020, when then-President Trump refused to accept defeat and brought our national disagreements to a fever-pitch that didn’t let up until last week’s election, when a return to normalcy actually prevailed.

Of course, there’s always the chance we’ll have a relapse in the days and weeks ahead, especially since Trump is hinting that he’ll announce another candidacy for president. But his unique brand of showmanship is tarnished by this election, when the “Red Wave” he sought to facilitate didn’t materialize. As it turns out, the Senate will remain in the hands of the Democrats while the margin of Republican control in the House is looking slim at best.

Meanwhile, here in New Mexico, Democrats remain firmly in control. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has another four years to advance her progressive agenda.

Expect to see more wind turbines and solar farms, along with a renewed push for hydrogen energy. You should also expect a tumultuous legal fight in Hobbs over its recent “sanctuary for the unborn” declaration, which Hobbs is almost certainly going to lose. And we’ll have more handwringing over our underperforming schools, which has been an issue for so long that I don’t see how you can blame either party over the other. Both are complicit.

By the tone of Lujan Grisham’s victory speech, there’s no love recovered between these opposing candidates. If New Mexico’s political discourse was at a fever pitch before (it was never as hot as it’s been nationally), it’s likely to stay that way for a while. But at least the campaign commercials will subside, and that by itself is a reason to celebrate the end of Election 2022.

If you ask me, New Mexico Republicans need to pray that Trump loses his grip over their party sooner rather than later. As long as he’s the head of the GOP, New Mexico will remain blue. Even the Ronchetti campaign realized the baggage Trump carries in this state; that’s why he essentially ignored Trump’s endorsement and campaigned with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s biggest intra-party competition for 2024, instead.

If you ask me, the future of the national Republican Party hinges on how fast they can rid themselves of Trump. His presence will only bring back the fever that most Americans clearly don’t want to return.

This year’s election demonstrated that most Americans still prefer good governance and democratic principles over the cult of personality that has a stranglehold on the GOP. The center lane is now a better place to be.

Tom McDonald is editor of the New Mexico Community News Exchange. Contact him at:

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