Thursday, November 8, 2012

Politics Unraveled


It was November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States with only 40% of the popular votes and with only 180 electoral votes.  The country was split between four candidates representing four very different platforms.  Lincoln was the culmination of Republicanism in the 19th century.  He stood for what was right even when the country he lead was facing turmoil that would shake it's very foundation and leave a crater in the minds of those who lived through it.  Exactly 152 years to the day another presidential election occurred.  This time it would be between the history-making incumbent black Democrat lawyer-turned-politician Barack Obama and his opponent the white Republican businessman-turned-politician Mitt Romney, who also happened to be a Mormon.  This would be a close campaign and race.  Billions of dollars would be spent.  Millions would vote for the one they thought should be elected as Chief-of-State.  As election night started it looked as though Romney would be the victor, but eventually Obama won the support of states such as Ohio and California, which hold important electoral votes.  History was made, not so much in the fact that Obama was reelected (although him being elected four years ago as the first black president was monumental,) but in the fact the Romney was the first member of the LDS Church since Joseph Smith to run for president and almost make it.  Lincoln was absolutely remarkable in his efforts to unify the shattering Union.  His legacy will be remembered throughout the ages.  Romney's efforts will be remembered as well.  How lucky we are to live in a time when great and meaningful events are happening right in front of us.          

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