The Complexion of the Race

Overlooked in the Election Day flood that rolled across America was the remarkable performance of candidates from groups often said to be on the outside looking in at the American good life. First time black, Hispanic and female candidates were not only well-represented in the running, but won as often as not. Want to talk demographics? Let's talk demographics. Here's a sample of last night's winners.

Nikki Haley, the child of immigrants from India, overcame smears for supposed business malfeasance and sexual misconduct to become South Carolina's first female governor. Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, dispatched not only his opponent from the other party, but the sitting governor of his state (running as an independent), to become Florida's new senator--not to mention a blazing supernova on the national scene. His friend from Florida, David Rivera, won a congressional seat. Jaime Herrara ousted an incumbent congressman in Washington State. In neighboring Idaho, Raul Labrador also emerged from nowhere to defeat a congressional incumbent. Lt. Col. Allen West, a black man running on a platform of "Restoring American Exceptionalism," handily defeated an incumbent to win Florida's 22nd Congressional District. Latina Susannah Martinez mounted a powerful campaign and was elected governor of New Mexico. Brian Sandoval won the governorship in Nevada. In Texas, two Hispanics, Bill Flores and Francisco "Quico" Canseco, also unseated incumbents (Flores defeated long-time congressional power broker Chet Edwards). Tim Scott, a black man espousing principles similar to those of West, won the 1st Congressional District of South Carolina.

A shining theme emerges here: the brightest promise of Obama's election--that America had become a practically color-blind society unconcerned about one's sex or color, but only with the content of one's character--is true. In the American republic, no door is closed to you but the door you fail to open. In the American republic, if you are of good character and sound principles, your skin and your sex are almost meaningless. In the American republic envisioned by our founders and soon to be restored, your skin or your sex will neither stop nor save you, and demographics will be of continuing interest only to marketeers.

"Oh," says Lt. Columbo, turning back from the door and raising a finger in the air. "Just one more thing..."

All of these ambitious winning political newcomers on the national stage--black, brown and female--are conservative Republicans.

You know, the party of rich white men. Which begs the question: to whom does the future of America belong? Which suggests this answer: to all of those, as always, who embrace the American dream, the exceptionalism of the American republic, the responsibilities inherent in American freedom and the uniquely American way of being and doing. And to no one else.