In 2008, Americans voted for “hope and change.” We got the change, but the hope seems to have been lost. Americans on Nov. 8 again voted for hope and change, but this time it was called “Make America Great Again.” The reaction by the American people has been simply amazing.

Favorability ratings for President-elect Donald Trump have risen since the election. The stock market, which was supposed to plummet if Trump were elected, has hit all-time highs numerous times since his election. Polls that reflect the optimism of the American people have spiked upwards. America seems to be embracing the idea of being “Great Again.”

Those who opposed Trump were so sure of the election of Hillary Clinton that they have been shocked into disbelief. The news has overly documented every protest that can be imagined. Huge amounts of money have been donated to enable recounts that even the leaders of those opposed to Trump call futile. There have been many anecdotes of college students who need all kinds of “security blankets” to help with their “despair.” Even members of his own party plot to throw the election into the House of Representatives so that a different person can be selected.

Shockingly, people need to take the advice of President Barack Obama. Shortly after his election in 2008, in a meeting with leaders of the opposition, he told them, “Get over it, I won, you lost.”

However, some even still seek to delegitimize Trump’s election. Yes, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but that is not how we elect presidents. For more than 200 years we have abided by the rules set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Those rules dictate an Electoral College system that balances population with the rights of low population states such as Maine. These rules ensure that a person seeking the office of president reaches out to all the states, not just the ones with huge population. Maine would never have been visited by either candidate if the election were dependent solely upon a popular vote. I do not believe that much of the rest of the country would favor using the popular vote if they realized only the votes of those who live in California, New York or Texas would matter.

Why did Trump win this election? The national Democratic Party has been working hard for decades to divide America. They want the black vote, the Hispanic vote, the LBGT vote, the women’s vote, the millennial vote, and so on. Trump wanted the vote of all the American people. As a result he won a larger percentage of the black vote, the Hispanic vote, and the women’s vote than previous Republican candidates in the past two elections. The difference is striking. Clinton won the West Coast, the Northeast coast, and Chicago. The rest of the country was won by Trump. To understand this, look at the distribution of counties won by each candidate.

What does the future hold? Those on the liberal left should take heart. Ultra-liberal organizations such as the Center for American Progress, its “media action arm,” Think Progress, and others are raising money to fight Trump’s leadership every step of the way. They will do everything in their power to keep America divided and in turmoil. If they are successful and Trump is not successful at stopping illegal immigration, reigniting the economy, and defeating foreign terrorism, he will be a one-term president. On the other hand, if Trump is successful at leading the country to solve these huge problems, then he will be a two-term president and will deservedly have the overwhelming support of the American people. Maybe we can look back in eight years and see “America Great Again,” not just for some but for all Americans.

By the way, this was written by someone who was adamantly opposed to Donald Trump as a candidate one year ago. The president-elect deserves to have the opportunity to be successful.

Dale Landrith Sr. wrote this for Another View, a Maine Press Association award-winning column written by a group of concerned citizens who meet regularly to discuss issues of public interest.