In the aftermath of Tuesdays historic election, I repeatedly think about the multitude of factors that brought about the dramatic political changes and it certainly affirms that we live in a republic with resiliency, tipping points and true limits.There has been a convergence of so many influences that are outside the controls of the establishment that would have us accept the prevailing mantra. There has been:n the proliferation of blogs, that allow just about anyone to become an analyst, pundit, investigator, whistle-blower; rant; and a kind of Internet stalker. Websites, blogs and chat rooms have allowed for spirited discussions and ways for people to trade insights and cross-pollinate in the field of politics. n Comedy Centrals Daily Show with John Stewart, with his relentless, keen and acerbic review of news events, centered on offbeat, fast interviews with newsmakers and footage of policymakers gaffes, imprecision and things they wished they had never said or should have said better. Culture-watchers have determined that the Daily Show is eagerly watched by the under-30 crowd, to the point that some say thats where I get my news. Hmmm.n Ditto for shows like Saturday Night Live and the sketches that showcased and parodied news of the week. Not to mention the nightly jabs by Jay Leno, David Letterman and others. n Bill Maher and his Real Time shows on HBO, with blistering, scalding commentaries, and panels that never let up on their rendering their observations on the ongoing body politic.n The growing sophistication of the three cable news networks CNN, MSNBC and Fox-News all of them with deep lineups of pundits and sources, constantly stirring the coals of the controversy du jour. n Progressive talk radio. Up until 2004 elections, there had not been whats being calling progressive talk radio. But Air America came on the scene just before the 2004 elections, and the networks line-up of talkers served as a sounding board for that segment of the population alienated by Republican victories that year. They became a force trying to counter the formidable conservative radio networks. n Corruption in Washington, massive mismanagement connected with Hurricane Katrina, and President Bushs seeming insensitivity to it all fostered revulsion and discontent.T n The "be afraid, be very afraid" cry to instill fear lost its credibility. There was a growing sense that freedom needs to be preserved and not sacrificed for safety and security.n n The war in Iraq, the leading issue, mobilized many heretofore apathetic young adults to empathize with those dying and maimed in the war of their generation.n n Cracks formed in the foundation of the Christian Right, which got little more than a couple U.S. Supreme Court justices to their liking, a resolute anti-stem-cell research position from Bush and a fight to keep the feeding tube in the late Terri Schiavo. There was a series of messy controversies, such as David Kuos Tempting Faith book that suggested a callous White House perception of evangelicals and the Congressman Mark Foley and Pastor Ted Haggard scandals that undermined trust in those political leaders who seemed to share their foursquare values. n n A seeming planet that didnt mince words about the drift of American politics and polices.The ballot box, for now, has regained respect as the best tool to revisit the American experiment and adjust direction. Many who are weary of the campaigns and ugly ads are already tuned out to the post-mortems and analysis that continue to go on. For me, its been some heady days since Tuesday, listening to the feedback from around the world and watching winners and losers try to account for what happened.

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