Though the result wasn't entirely to my liking, I must say how pleased I am overall with the results of Tuesday's election. How great for our country that at the end of a year long vitriolic and divisive race, that record numbers of citizens packed the polling places to make their voice heard. I've said for years that voter apathy springs not from distrust of the system but rather an overall satisfaction with it. This time around both parties energized their bases and really brought home the importance of each vote and that message did get through. The results, though surprising to many, were a real representation of the hearts and minds of our nation.

I was particularly impressed with Ken Blackwell, who as Ohio's Secretary of State held the responsibility for seeing to the fair and careful polling in that state. Mr. Blackwell portrayed himself as a calm, intelligent, and competent man who would be willing to put aside his own partisan beliefs at least for the day or days required to perform what he clearly holds as a very solemn duty to the people of Ohio. His steadfast determination to follow the law in the state of Ohio without an attempt to manipulate or skew that law did more for his party than any amount of partisan wrangling at that time could have. When asked why he must wait the ten days to count "provisional" ballots (those cast by people under conditions that made their jurisdiction unclear), Mr. Blackwell said simply "Because that is the law in the state of Ohio." He made clear that for him, in his role that night, no further explanation was necessary. It was not his job to second guess the laws enacted by his legislature. Had Mr. Blackwell not appeared so calm, so confident, so resolute, and so full of personal integrity in that brief moment on the national spotlight, I believe an army of lawyers would have been unleashed on that state along with a tidal wave of distrust and anger that could have become a real catastrophe. I do not know anything more about this man, his stand on other issues, his past or his politics; I can only say that on the night in question, he stood up and did his job exceedingly well.

Are we a nation divided in thought? Yes, absolutely. We are divided deeply on our desired direction for this country in almost every respect. We are united, however, in our belief in our system of government to such an extent that we did not let the anger, disgust, and fear that poured forth in the months leading to the election become violence and hatred. Let those in the rest of the world see in that result something worthy of envy.

"I believe in the strength of the system."
Ken Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State
November 2nd, 2004