ELECTORATE HAS SPOKEN: IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE

Change. That's what the American public wanted, and come January, that's what will happen. In many cases, the election nationally reflected an "out with the old, in with the new" mentality. The new faces, and even those who won re-election, campaigned on a platform of change.

Bill Clinton will lead our country as its next president. Mel Carnahan is Missouri's new governor. The state offices represented a Democratic sweep. Republicans Kit Bond and Bill Emerson bucked the trend and won re-election. Illinois welcomes the nation's first female black U.S. Senator in Carol Moseley Braun.

It's noteworthy that many legislative and congressional incumbents didn't fare as badly as some had feared. However, many of the incumbents just squeaked through. Most of those ousted fell early victims of heated primary races or redistricting. It appears the GOP leaned toward a net gain of at least six of the nation's 99 legislative chambers. Democrats headed toward a net loss of four in the number of states where they control both houses.

Voters were tired of the same old song and approved term limits in 14 states, including Missouri. The days of the career politician may be numbered. With a majority in both houses, President Clinton, should be able to put legislative gridlock behind us. While the popular vote was close, the electoral college gives Clinton a mandate for action. He received 370 electoral votes, compared to 168 for George Bush, and none for Ross Perot.

Whether spurred by anger or enthusiasm, voters did their civic duty and went to the polls in record numbers. That's encouraging. Citizen participation is crucial to turning our country around. The voter turnout reversed a three-decade decline in participation.

The percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots is likely to be the highest since 55.4 percent in 1972, according to experts. An estimated 104 million Americans voted Tuesday, eclipsing the previous high of 92.6 million in 1984 and representing about a 5 percent rise over 1988 when an all-time low 50.2 percent turned out.

Now it's time for America to heal the wounds of this negative campaign season perhaps the nastiest in history. It won't be easy. Even the winners at all levels are tainted by the mudslinging. These attacks on character and leadership may have planted seeds of doubt that are hard to forget. It's time for the electorate and politicians to move forward in a positive fashion.

We congratulate the winners especially Southeast Missourian Associate Publisher Peter Kinder, who won the 27th District Senate seat, on a platform of change. We console the losers many good candidates went by the wayside. Things will change in Missouri: victims' rights will be expanded; riverboat gambling will become a reality; there's new leadership at the helm.

Change was certainly the watchword of the 1992 election. But we must remember that change takes time. Today, the winners can bask in their glory. Tomorrow, it's time to roll up our sleeves and begin work in earnest on the public's mandate for change.