Elections do have consequences, as Sen. John McCain, the defeated Republican presidential candidate, said often on the campaign trail.

Democrat Barack Obama scored a big win in the presidential race Tuesday. And congressional Democrats stretched the majorities they captured in 2006.

The party has won the right to test whether their consecutive impressive victories mean American voters have embraced the liberal Democratic agenda or were simply repudiating Republican President George W. Bush.

Democrats are itching to push through programs that have been blocked for eight years or longer.

But President-elect Barack Obama would be wise to avoid plunging into divisive issues and instead hew to the tone he set in his victory address Tuesday night.

Much of Obama's appeal on the campaign trail was his pledge to unite Americans of all walks of life and all political persuasions in reversing the country's course.

He echoed that promise in his post-election speech. So did McCain, whose gracious concession remarks were highlighted by a sincere pledge to return to the Senate and work, for the good of the country, to make an Obama presidency successful.

Both mean clearly understand that the perilous times facing America leave no room for the partisan gamesmanship that has paralyzed Washington.

President George W. Bush, in congratulating Obama on Wednesday, joined the call for cooperation and backed it up by ordering his administration to rapidly assist the president-elect's transition team.

This is more than just standard post-election niceties.

The transfer of power comes as America faces its most severe challenges in a half-century. Obama's election opens a narrow window for all Americans to work together to meet those challenges.

Those who would allow that window to close to either press or gain a partisan advantage will pay a heavy price.

Voters, under the name of change, chose pragmatic solutions Tuesday. They expect positive movement on the multiple crises facing the country.

That will require Obama to find a middle course that both Republicans and Democrats are comfortable following.

If Obama makes the mistake of his predecessor and panders to the extreme elements of his party, his presidency will be no more successful than the one it replaces.

The popular vote was not nearly as lopsided Tuesday as the Electoral College tally.

Americans remain about evenly divided politically. Uniting them is what Obama promised to do. The only way to get the job done is by standing in the middle.

REPRINTED FROM THE DETROIT NEWS.