It was an election unlike any we've seen before, with a new level of civic engagement emerging at a time when the nation most needs a united citizenry. After a watershed campaign, Minnesotans join the rest of the country in reflecting on the events of the past week and pondering the future.

President-elect Barack Obama His message of change and hope captured the support of a majority of Americans in a historic campaign that will put the first African-American in the White House. Today, on the first Sunday of a new era in America, the country faces tremendous national and global challenges. The president-elect's call for national unity, public service and personal sacrifice establishes a foundation on which the country can build a brighter future. Now the real work begins, with the economy clearly the most pressing issue the new administration will face. How effectively the Obama administration addresses the downturn will tell us a lot about the next president.

Recount It's strangely fitting that Minnesota's U.S. Senate race ended without a clear winner. The three-way campaign was one of the most negative in Minnesota history, leaving many Minnesotans with a bitter aftertaste. Voters deserve the automatic recount, and whoever ultimately wins this race should accept the seat with humility, knowing that a majority of Minnesotans voted for someone else. Without a clear mandate, there should be even more pressure on the winner to bring a pragmatic, bipartisan approach to problem-solving in Washington.

The governor and the Legislature Despite losing out to Sarah Palin in the VP competition, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's future within the Republican Party remains bright. He's a legitimate candidate for the GOP nomination in 2012, when he might well face Palin again. What will Pawlenty's national aspirations mean for Minnesota? That's unclear, but what is certain is that Minnesota needs the governor to provide the state with skilled and pragmatic leadership as we negotiate a deep economic downturn and serious budget challenges. In January, he'll be working with a new Legislature comprising more DFLers and fewer moderate Republicans. Pawlenty should read DFL legislative successes as a call from voters for him to take a less rigidly conservative posture as the state addresses what is expected to be a major budget deficit. More than ever, Minnesotans need and expect problem-solving compromises at the Capitol.

Independent in Minnesota It's time for serious introspection by the DFL and GOP in Minnesota. Republicans must come to terms with Obama's victory and with their legislative losses. The DFL must analyze how the party blew significant opportunities to pick up two U.S. House seats and, possibly, a seat in the U.S. Senate. Even harder questions need to be asked by, and of, the Independence Party. After another round of weak showings and indistinct messages by its candidates, the IP's reason for existence is no longer clear. What is clear is that IP candidates were spoilers this year, contributing to the election of candidates who lacked majority support in several key races. David Dillon, the party's Third District congressional candidate who won 11 percent of the vote, hit the right note Wednesday. "It's a legitimate, fair question. It bugs some people in the Independence Party that we have to wonder what our purpose is if all we're doing is ruining the results for one side."

Outdoors and the arts Even in a severe economic downturn, Minnesotans approved a sales-tax boost to provide about $275 million a year for the next 25 years to fund clean water, the outdoors and the arts. Although this newspaper opposed the constitutional amendment, arguing that budgeting is the responsibility of the Legislature, by a 56-44 percent margin voters sent a message to lawmakers that they had neglected for too long core assets that help define life in Minnesota. As with successful school levy referendums, it's impressive when citizens identify a cause they're willing to pay for.