One Nation Under God

How lucky I was to witness the results of the 2012 Presidential election from  Zürich. I took a chance this morning and showed up at 6am to the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce election breakfast having never met any of these people in my life. This was 11pm CST and the results were still coming in. In fact, between my apartment and the hotel, the media called Ohio in President Obama’s favor and thus the election.

To my surprise, I was glad the Swiss had taught me the value of timeliness because within a short time after my arrival, there was not a seat in the room. There were news media everywhere, you’d have thought I was sitting at a hotel on K Street in DC itself. And what a very interesting mix it was!

To my fortune, I unknowingly sat next to Ellen Frick-Delman and her husband Rolf. She happens to be the Consular Agent for the US Embassy and the former President of the American Club in Switzerland. She introduced me to everyone at our table where I enjoyed fascinating conversation. Much like a business meeting in the US, it was die-hard Romney or die-hard Obama – not much middle ground. I think if I had to categorize, the Swiss generally favored Obama as much of Europe does, while the Americans in the room were sorted 50/50 and almost stereotypical – those in business suites looking more white-collar for Romney and those in jeans and looking more arts/philosophical/professorial for Obama – that is a generalization, but something I noted.

I was interviewed by one of the Swiss tv stations. They wanted to know who I voted for and I told them I had been a Romney supporter in this election. They wanted to know what I would do now. I found this interesting as they seemed to want to know how I would find the will to live or what I would do with my anger. I told them that the sun had come up, it was Wednesday and yesterday had been Tuesday and that I, and other Americans, would get on about our business. I told them it really wasn’t about the National election so much as it was the local elections, where the laws are made and  opinions heard. They seemed surprised that I didn’t feel like the world was about to come unglued. Their political system is much like ours, but the perception is that our President drives our country, literally. To some extent there is truth here in that I believe a President as an inspiration can drive attitudes and attitudes drive actions. And that, in part, is how people become President now – not necessarily because of a person’s business skills or financial acumen, but because of how they inspire. And, in reality, all they need to inspire is 50.1% in enough states to get 274 electoral votes. So, not necessarily at a Dr. King level.

I have to say, I liked Obama’s acceptance speech, I came home and re-read it. I liked the statements linking politics to public service and I like the comments about politics being important and big and not to be hated. I believe in the statement “What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth” and I hope that’s where our Congress starts – with the greater good. As the elected Inspiration Champion, I expect President Obama to hold our Congress accountable for this notion. We have to be willing to lose some battles for the greater good.

It was good to be with Americans and those who appreciate what we stand for in the bigger scheme this morning. The sun did come up as it surely will again tomorrow.