08/012

Obama's victory in 2008 was his alone - the victory in 2012 was for progressive values
In 2008 the American people elected a black man, partly because he was a black man, but mostly because they were happy to have the opportunity to elect a black man because he was the best choice for the job. Those who oppose him underestimate the pleasure this gave many Americans.
In 2012, that was past. We had done it.
This was a very different race because it was such a clear choice between the old attitudes and the new. Conservatives simply could not, would not believe that the majority of the country had changed so much.
In 2008 I was cautiously optimistic. Cautious because I just wasn't sure my country was intelligent and mature enough to elect Obama. It was a real thrill when I heard the news not because he had been elected, but because my country was a better place than I had believed.
In 2012 I was pretty sure he would win because so many of the knowledgeable people had said he would. I was more worried about some of the other races, the vast majority of which turned out the way I want. In some ways I feel sorry for the losers, both the candidates and the supporters, because they really have lost the country they knew. I think it is for the best, but I can sympathise with how they must feel, living in such a strange place.
It finally sunk in to me a few years ago that we are in a transitional time, both physically and spiritually. This is difficult for everyone living through it. But many changes must be made if mankind is to have a good environment in the future.
We have made a good start on these changes this year.