On the national level, Democrats were overwhelmed Tuesday in the general election.

President Bush captured a substantial lead in the popular vote on Election Night, amassing an almost 4 million vote lead, which he never surrendered. But a close race in Ohio left the Electoral College tally in doubt.

Sen. John Kerry’s chances narrowed to a long shot hope that provisional ballots – those cast by voters whose eligibility was in question – could close a gap of more than 100,000 votes. He conceded graciously just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, convinced that his quest was lost.

In a thoughtful and personal speech, Kerry called on the country to heal its divisions and to unite to complete the mission in Iraq and against terrorism.

Republicans stretched their majorities in both the House and the Senate, and knocked off one of the biggest prizes on the election, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota. Daschle was beaten by Rep. John Thune, who won a closely watched and highly competitive race that was targeted by both national parties and the president.

Maine’s two Democratic congressmen, Rep. Mike Michaud and Rep. Tom Allen, won comfortably. Oddly, it might be the state’s Republican senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, who lost clout. With Republicans extending their majority, moderates like Snowe and Collins might not find themselves the swing votes on as many close issues as during the last two years. They will remain powerful players, no doubt, but the majority will likely have even less patience for independent senators who don’t toe the party line.

The majority of voters in the country believe Bush and believe in him. The country remains divided, but the president has been validated by our democracy. It’s his choice how to govern in his second term.

Now, it will fall to President Bush to put this bitter campaign behind us and lead the nation – red and blue states alike.