If you look at the results, Obama won the electoral vote, and won big. In the Presidency, the electoral vote is what counts, and Obama won the electoral vote clearly and decisively. Obama won every single swing state, with the exception of North Carolina.  

The Tea Party are the ones who lost. Allen West. Joe Walsh. Todd Akin. Richard Mourdock.

The GOP could have won. They could have easily won the Senate this year. But they didn't. The American People have rejected GOP extremism.

So this means that the ball is now in the GOP's court. Obama has won a clear mandate, and have sent a message to the Republican Party not to obstruct, but to work with Obama and the Democrats and learn to compromise.

If Obama and Chris Christie can learn to put politics aside and get things done, the rest of the GOP can do the same.

The GOP should take their cue from Romney, who was decent enough to make a gracious concession speech. He asked for Republicans to work with Democrats and to learn how to compromise.

I was wrong in my read, and admit I am still surprised.

That said, even though the electoral was a big split, the popular is close, which means we are still a divided nation.  The challenge is how to unite.  I hope Obama is up to it.

From the loser, I offer one piece of advice:  The winning party should adopts the most enduring line from Lincoln's second inaugural address in addressing the losers: "With malice toward none...."

For a long time I have complained about the nasty tone.  I don't think I called people names.  If we can't get past discussing this with insults, the division will never heal.

It is hard to overcome temptations to gloat.  If people want to keep wounds open....