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Obama elected
At a time when politics only seems to divide, President Obama's achievement was a vindication of the power of politics to bring people together.
In sharp contrast to 2008, when NAFTA was a four-letter word for much of the American public, North American issues were broadly irrelevant to the 2012 campaign. Canada remains a fortunate afterthought in American domestic politics -- although particular cross-border issues remain subject to the crossfires of interest group politics.
Consider the evidence: the Obama-Romney battle was notable for its "courtesy " and "common-sense," and God knows those are terms we all associate with the Canadian political process. Plus, a bunch of voters approved referendums to endorse gay marriage and legalize pot, and I bet those are things Canadians might do too if anyone ever asked! In any case, I'll just note for our American friends that when a columnist giddily claims that "Canadian-ness is spreading like a bad rash," across your country, it's supposed to be a compliment.We've all seen how it really played out. But then there is the victory speech in an alternative reality that we probably needed to hear. Imagine the following scene...
Obama's speech was moving and brilliantly delivered. Here are my choices of such phrases from a beautifully structured, inspiring victory speech that started with the graceful acknowledgement of his opponent's commitment to public service, then heartfelt thanks to the nation's citizens.
This past election cycle was simultaneously sobering and scary. As access to birth control took centre stage and the terms "trans-vaginal ultrasound," "legitimate rape," "forcible rape," unfortunately entered into the political lexicon, it is patently clear why the President won the vagina vote.
Another election is in the books. And personally I'm glad Obama is back in. He's the right guy for this time. But hey, if you disagree with the results, feel free to join Donald on his march for democracy. I'm sure he'll enjoy your company.History was made last night when President Obama was re-elected for another four year term. What struck me while listening to his acceptance speech was the fact that his words are now part of his nation's historical record. When you look at the House of Commons today you have to wonder where is that sense of history when an MP stands up to read a Member's Statement, a speech, ask a question or if a minister, answer one?
Obama's victory was critical because it's the only way the Congressional gridlock regarding the deficit can be overcome. That is because Obama belled the cat in 2011 with his eleventh hour deal that imposed a deadline now nicknamed the "fiscal cliff."
Mitt Romney was never going to be a candidate for Mount Rushmore, but barely 40 years after he warned of it, America has become, in Richard Nixon's eerie phrase, "a pitiful, helpless, giant." It is almost irrelevant to the world, except as an engine of fiscal incontinence.