What Does Doug Jones' Win Means For America?

I've been listening to reporters talk about the stunning upset by Doug Jones in the race for the senate seat in Alabama.  Yes, a Democrat hasn't won in over 25 years.  A Democrat hasn't even come close.  Was it that Roy Moore was such a flawed candidate that cost him victory?  Was it the support of Bannon and Trump?  Or was it something else?  I think it was a combination of factors.

I don't need to rehash what a despicable person Roy Moore is, and that that should have been enough to disqualify him from running.  We all know what he is, and nobody liked him, even the staunchest Trump supporter.  But his supporters would rather have a twice removed from office judge and accused pedophile in the U.S. Senate than a Democrat.  That's party above everything, if I've ever seen it.

Blacks came out in droves to vote for Doug Jones, and that really helped.  Jones had a larger percentage of the black vote than Obama got.  Democrats really got out the vote.  But it was the women that really put Jones over the top.  College educated women and women with children, although largely Republican in the past, made a moral judgement.  Mothers and educated women could not stand by and watch Roy Moore win, so they came out an voted.  Many former Republicans crossed over to a candidate whose morality they could relate to.  This was a win not just for Doug Jones, but for women.  Women should now understand that they CAN make a difference.

In staunchly Republican states like Alabama, women often voted however their husband voted.  Women are developing a voice.  They are understanding that they can think for themselves, and when they go into the voting booth, they can make their own decision and help determine outcomes.  It's a new era for women, and hopefully they will come out in droves next year and vote for the best candidate, regardless of party.  I'm hoping that the Alabama election is the first of many elections around the country where citizens reject bigotry and misogeny, and vote for the best candidate.