Even with economic concerns, voters embraced neither party fully. What does that say?

We are now more than a week post-election, and we have survived.

The world did not end, democracy did not die, and time did not stop. The American people, including voters in Texas and Tarrant County, spoke at the ballot box, just as we have in even-numbered years these many generations.

Many have analyzed the whys and wherefores; plenty more will in the coming weeks. While I am interested in the details of the numbers, my true interest is what America said.

A great many contests were decided by thin margins, with some yet to be declared for one candidate or the other. The fact that some states cannot seem to count votes for days and weeks is a topic for another column entirely.

The pre-election message was emphatic: Take care of business.

As both parties made their final pitches to voters leading up to Election Day, countless opinion polls had rather high degrees of dissatisfaction with national conditions. People feel the pain of a rough economy, along with uncertainty in their own lives about jobs, income, even food supplies. Energy costs are high, and supplies are dwindling. No one except Biden administration officials believes the southern border is secure. People are dissatisfied with the performance of their schools.

Americans demand safety, security, stability and strong leadership.

So, what were the closing arguments for the Democrats and Republicans nationally?

Republicans generally embraced these concerns, campaigning on the challenges and their alternatives. They reminded people of better times, pledging to deliver that again. Nationally, Republicans positioned themselves as the answer for the unsettling times we are in.

Democrats took a different approach. Actually, several different approaches. Initially, they denied there was anything wrong, touting “Build Back Better” legislation that eventually passed as the slimmed-down Inflation Reduction Act. Then, they said inflation was not something the U.S. could control because it was a worldwide phenomenon.

They also said that our economy was actually better than other countries’ because of President Joe Biden’s policies. Finally, their closing arguments were that unless they won, American democracy would die.

Political polling in the final days predicted a “red wave” of 25-50 seats U.S House seats gained by Republicans, along with two or three in Senate. It seemed likely that Republicans would control Congress.

The result was more of a draw. Voters chose closely divided government again. The allure of the Republican alternative was not enough in every area to close the sale. In the race for the House, Democrats won at least 16 seats by 2 percentage points or less. Several on the West Coast are still too close to call.

Americans clearly don’t like the current path, yet they didn’t make big changes.

There were clear messages in some states, mixed messages in others.

Texas, Florida, and Ohio decisively supported Republicans by comfortable margins. All three saw gains by Republicans at all levels.

New York state, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin generally had much closer races, with mixed results of holds, losses and pickups.

New York saw several congressional Democrats lose to their Republican challengers, yet voters re-elected their Democratic governor, despite a strong challenge. Pennsylvania elected a Democrat to the open Senate seat held currently by Republicans, and Wisconsinites returned their Republican senator to Washington by a very narrow margin.

With voters returning such mixed results, neither side has much of a mandate. When asked by reporters what he would change going forward, Biden said, “Nothing!” Whether that’s bold or brash, time will tell how it works for him.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg said, “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” We don’t yet know if this move is a step in a different direction, or a blip.

The American people have spoken, and leaders would do well to heed their words.

This story was originally published November 18, 2022 at 6:28 AM.