Finally, it’s over. Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States.
I was one of the millions waiting up till the wee hours of the morning to see who would win. Here are a couple of observations.
When Trump and his family first walked into the hall after Hillary’s concession had been announced, their procession seemed a little Egyptian pharaohish at the beginning. The Donald walking slowly in front, the family lagging several feet behind as if they were afraid they didn’t have permission to be there. But once they got down the stairs and on the stage, all that changed.
He stopped every few steps and waved to the crowd and mouthed, “Thank you!” His family gathered around each other and seemed comfortable in each others’ presence – and in front of that large crowd. By the time the President-elect began to call them by name, their awkward entry was forgotten.
His speech couldn’t have been any better. His inclusion of the chairman of the RNC, and his impromptu giving him the microphone, paid tribute to the machine that helped to organize his followers into a strong voting block.
It will be interesting to see how both Mr. Trump and those he reached out to will respond to each other after January 20, 2017.
All in all, the Trump team showed us how to win with dignity and grace. He deflected the praise onto his team and voters, honored his opponents, and kept his country center-stage.
As for Hillary — her response to the results demonstrated once more why I did not want her to win. Not only did she not bother to come to the hall and thank her supporters who had fought this fight with her, but she sent her deputy out to deceive them and us one more time. While she was inside calling Trump and conceding, her rep was telling her supporters that the fight would continue in the morning. Still trying to manipulate with her dying breath.
For leaders, character does matter. Little things, like expressing gratitude to those who have faithfully served you, are huge. Words are easy and cheap, but actions reveal what is in the heart.
For the past two years, we’ve heard Mr. Trump’s words. In the next four years, we will find out what’s in his heart. If he retains the same spirit he displayed last night, I have high hopes that our country can become great again. If not, well, let’s take that up tomorrow.
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