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The American system for choosing a president works. Yes, the campaign lasted far too long and was among the most bitter and contentious in U.S. history. Yet, in the end, the people spoke convincingly at the ballot box. An energized electorate turned out in record numbers to exercise their franchise.
Despite pre-Election Day concerns about the potential for polling place mischief, Americans peacefully elected their leader for the next four years.
Much has been said since Tuesday about the need to unify the nation. Utahns, for the most part, won’t have much trouble getting behind President George W. Bush. After all, they gave him 71 percent of their votes, the highest plurality of any state in the nation.
Elsewhere, though, deep divisions persist. Some states voted resoundingly the other way. So, healing must be high on the national agenda.
Thankfully, Senator John Kerry began the process Wednesday by choosing to concede rather than put the country through a protracted, yet futile battle over the vote in Ohio. That one who spoke so disparagingly of his opponent during the campaign could so graciously pledge his allegiance in defeat only validates how extraordinary our system is.
In KSL’s view, this process we go through every four years is truly remarkable. It is something to be appreciated and never taken for granted.
