I see America’s greatness not so much in its electoral process, but in its post-electoral process. It reveals the depths of our people’s rootedness in the faithfulness of previous generations. It began with George Washington’s refusal to remain in office after his second term as President. It faltered just once, following the election of Abraham Lincoln.

Last night, President Bush telephoned Barack Obama.

“Mr. President-elect,” he said, “congratulations to you. What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters. I promise to make this a smooth transition.”

Smooth transitions in our nation’s government express the hope of America’s future better than any other moment in our national experience. John McCain embodied that hope in his concession speech.

“In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his (President-elect Obama’s) success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.”

Presidential campaigns express fierce conversations. Conflicting visions of the social good compete for support. Such fierce conversations test the tolerance of neighbors. But they are necessary if we are to discern the Truth of our Moment.

John McCain and the Republican Party gave expression to the Root Value of Autonomy. Their emphasis on cutting taxes, national security, and a health care solution anchored in the free market all point to the importance of the individual and the maintenance of clear, inviolable personal boundaries.

Barack Obama and the Democratic Party gave expression to the Root Value of Commitment. Their emphasis on a more conciliatory foreign policy, on domestic policy and a persistent call for reforming the health care system all point to the importance of the cooperation and the contributions of all people to address our common challenge.

We have two parties in this country because people prioritize the Root Values differently. Like Republicans, Democrats value Autonomy. This is most clearly represented by their “Pro-Choice” camp. Likewise, Republicans value Commitment. This is most clearly represented by their “Pro-Life” camp.

Republican and Democratic men and women share common ground, even if their rhetoric and ideology cannot.

If presidential campaigns are about fierce conversations that emphasize where candidates differ, the post-electoral process is about finding common ground.

John McCain spoke out of the American post-electoral tradition in his concession speech when he said, “Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.”

Democracy is a Greek word meaning, “the rule of the people.” Republic is a Latin word meaning, “the public thing.”

What makes America great is our Democracy – messy, mean-spirited, and petty as it can sometimes be. It awakens the self-interested and even fearful passions of the individual. This is most clearly expressed in our electoral process.

What makes America even greater is our Republic – “the public thing” we all share. It awakens our capacity to set aside our personal interest for the common good. This is more clearly expressed in our post-electoral process.

Thank God for Senator John McCain and for President-elect Barack Obama. In this post-electoral moment, they represent us all.