The results of the 2016 presidential election came in just before 3 A.M. Very few had any idea that it would turn out the way that it did. Despite polls showing Clinton having sizable leads in most states, Donald Trump came soaring in and beat the odds, winning states no Republican has won since 1988.
Trump, a reality T.V. star and businessman, will become the 45th president of the United States of America in January. He was written off by the GOP establishment from the get-go when he first descended the escalator in Trump Tower in June of 2015. Despite numerous gaffes, false statements, and comments many considered racist, sexist, and xenophobic, he went on to defeat 16 highly popular and qualified Republican candidates in the primary. His defeat of Hillary Clinton in the general election, was even more surprising.
While pollsters and media analysts will be sifting through where exactly they went wrong and how they completely miscalculated the state of the race, the GOP is celebrating. Not only did they hang on to control of the Senate, they still control the House. Trump's win means they hold the reigns of the executive branch once more, and his potential to nominate a conservative Supreme Court Justice to the vacant slot means that Republicans control all three branches of government once again.
Trump needed to win the critical battleground states of Florida, North Carolina and Ohio in order to even get a shot at winning in the electoral college. He did just that and proceeded to notch victories in states that had been safely assumed would be won by Clinton. When the results were called, Trump came out on stage in New York to address the crowd for the first time as President-elect.
"Now is the time for America to bind the wounds of division," Trump said, flanked by running mate Mike Pence and 10 year old son, Barron. "To all Republicans, Democrats and Independents, I say it is time for us to come together as one, united people."
"I think this is an indication that the American people want to try something new," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in a press conference. "The Speaker shares my view that we would like to see the country go in a different direction, and we intend to work with him to change the course for America."
"I think in a day when people were voting for change, they decided they didn't want to change the Republican Senate, which I'm proud of." he added.
Only two GOP Senators were defeated, Mark Kirk of Illinois and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.
Clinton conceded the next morning with husband Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea, and running mate Tim Kaine. She called to congratulate Trump and to concede the race shortly after the results were announced.
"I hope that he will be a successful president" Clinton said in her concession speech the next morning. "I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign that we ran together."
It is unclear for the time being as to what will happen once Trump takes office as leader of the free world. President Obama still has two more months left in office and President-elect Trump still is working on his transition. He will need to hand off control of the Trump business to his family and begin to assemble a cabinet.
Some names that have been floated have included Newt Gingrich, Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani, Reince Priebus, and Jeff Sessions.
Trump's victory was especially stinging to President Obama, who welcomed Trump and wife Melania, to the White House on Thursday. It is a symbol that his legacy was rejected and his signature policy initiative, the Affordable Care Act, may finally be undone.
Democrats may also find themselves facing inner-party turmoil. The fight between Clinton and Bernie Sanders in the primaries reveals a tension between the moderate left and the far left. A fight is already brewing between Howard Dean and Keith Ellison to be the next Democratic Party Chair.
There is also talk of a possible uprising in the Democratic leadership ranks in Congress. Younger Democrats in the House feel that it is time that the 76 year old Nancy Pelosi step aside to allow a younger member to lead. In the Senate, Washington Senator Patty Murray may challenge Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for the role of minority whip. 2018 looks even tougher for Democrats, many are up for reelection in traditionally conservative states. A loss in two years means an even larger majority for the Republican Senate.
While it may be too soon to tell what Trump will do as president, his promises of building a wall, sending Clinton to prison, deporting nearly 11 million illegal immigrants, and "bombing the s***" out of ISIS may be stonewalled as he realizes the difficulty of these tasks. Trump has claimed on the campaign trail that he will listen to "the best people" and will be surrounded by advisers. With the election results in, and the parties now knowing their respective place for the next couple of years, all we can do is sit back and watch to see how the next few years will unfold.
