What’s next?

As this editorial goes to press, we’re still many hours away from learning how the presidential election turned out—we don’t know yet who won seats in Congress or on the state Legislature, we don’t know the fate of the propositions or even who’ll serve as Sacramento’s next mayor. So there’s a lot we’re not yet privy to. But there’s one thing we do know:

Americans want sweeping change. We’re tired of flash over substance. We’re tired of being told our serious problems—the economy, global warming, our health-care crisis—can’t be solved. We’re ready, in fact, for smart, capable leaders who can line ’em up and knock ’em down, even if some of the solutions require struggle or sacrifice. In the words of The West Wing’s fictional President Jed Bartlet: What’s next?