BLOOMINGTON - After Election Day results are tallied Tuesday night, the tough task of healing the country begins. The intensely negative exchanges between candidates and their surrogates spilled into living rooms, work places and neighborhoods across the country. | Illinois' next election cycle ready to start

The process of soothing hurt feelings may take awhile for some voters.

"Political campaigns at the state and national level just keep getting more negative with each cycle," said Charles Wheeler, director of the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Consultants hired by both campaigns to promote their candidate have the one-track aim of advertising companies, said Wheeler.

"They are selling a candidate, promoting them like a brand of soap powder. It's all about winning and losing," he said.

Keeping it friendly

Friends meeting for coffee recently in Clinton predicted that political differences could be set aside after today.

"By and large, I don't think people take it personally. We all kid each other about politics but I think people will forget about it after the election is over," said Ollie Mandrell, a Democrat.

Don Nelson said he visits with people in coffee shops in Clinton and Heyworth and politics comes up in conversations.

"It's something people talk about but they don't get upset about it," said Don Nelson, who considers himself an independent voter.

Paula and Rex Jackson of Bloomington recognize the strong feelings people have when it comes to a hotly contested presidential race. Keeping strong opinions in check is difficult but sometimes the best approach, said Paula.

"You can talk about politics but you have to respect other people's opinions," she said.

For the Jacksons, both registered Republicans, restraint includes refraining from comments about the Obama bumper sticker on their son's car.

"He's in college. We just have to hope he'll outgrow it," said Rex.

Bridging the gap

After the yard signs are pulled up and the focus shifts to inaugural plans, voters will be left to decide how they will look at the future, said Cheryl Gaines, CEO of Bloomington's Collaborative Solutions Institute. Gaines knows about political races from both sides: She has served since 1993 as town council member in Normal , where members are elected in a non-partisan, at-large election.

"After the (presidential) election, we have to decide what we want. Do we want our place in the world to be stronger and the economy to be stronger? We all have to work together to make it work," said Gaines, who works as a counselor and mediator.

Taking a break from partisan political discussions will allow those who became emotionally tied to the outcome to unload some pre-election stress, suggested Gaines.

"It's time to turn the TV off and get your mind off it. Quit feeling like you have to beat the drum for your candidate," she said.

In the presidential race, the loser will return to the U.S. Senate, where cooperation with members across the aisle will be crucial to finding solutions to the major issues facing Americans, said Wheeler.

The winner and his opponent can help bridge the Democrat-Republican split by leaving accusations on the campaign trail, suggested Wheeler.

"I would like to see the winner and the loser tell people 'That was all show biz. Ignore it. Let's focus on the things we have in common. That's more important," he said.

Voters will have a limited time to focus on national dilemmas, including economic and national safety issues, said Wheeler.

"On Nov. 4, the votes will be counted and, 20 seconds after that, the 2012 campaign will be underway," he said.