That’s what elections are for
posted at 8:19 am on November 5, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Congratulations go to Barack Obama for his victory last night. He did what few Democrats have managed to do this century: win majorities in both popular vote and the Electoral College. Bill Clinton couldn’t do that in either election, and he was one of the most gifted politicians of this era.
Having gone through more than a few presidential elections, I tend to be more philosophical about their outcomes. Winning is never a complete blessing, and defeat is rarely a complete disaster. As I told people last night, we survived Jimmy Carter, who got elected with a similar “change” wind at his back after Watergate and the Vietnam War. He also had large Congressional majorities, and the Fairness Doctrine had been firmly in place for decades.
I hope that Obama turns out to be a better President than Carter, not for Obama’s sake but for the country’s sake. Christopher Buckley and other conservatives engaged in some wishful thinking by claiming that his victory would somehow lead him to become centrist rather than a liberal ideologue once in office. Obama has always been pragmatic, as his campaign showed; it will be up to us to work to get that to happen.
The voters in America wanted a significant change, however, and they got it last night in the proper manner — at the ballot box. Obama’s victory was no fluke; he beat John McCain by seven million votes and won more states than Bush did in either of his two elections. He will have stronger majorities in both chambers of Congress for his party, and will have legitimate claim to a mandate.
Over the next four years, Republicans and conservatives have to work to rethink their approaches, find new leadership, and work to keep the worst excesses of the Democratic policy from becoming reality. In 2010, we will have an opportunity to rebuild. We need to do that through ideas, policies, and strong leadership, not by acting … well, like the Left did throughout much of the Bush years.
It’s time to get back to work.
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Here’s hoping Bush sucks it up and orders a midnight strike on Iran’s nukes.
Count to 10 on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
But now the Dems control everything. The White House, Congress, the courts. Anything that goes wrong, they own it.
Oh sure, Obama, Pelosi, and Reid will play the Bush card for a while. They’ll blame everything bad on the disaster they inherited from the last administration. And their base along with some moderates will accept that for a short while.
Eventually however, they’ll demand accountability. If things get progressively worse by the time 2012 rolls around, Obama will have to defend his record and by then the novelty of his charisma and historical candidacy will have long since worn off.
It’s almost assured that the Dems will wreck this country if they do even half of what they’re proposing. The key is for the GOP to be prepared to offer a sensible alternative to the voters when the time comes.
Doughboy on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Thank you Ed for another thoughtful post. I agree with everything you wrote.
I will not lie in a fetal position nor claim post election stress syndrome. I am confident that there will be no “B” “H” or “O” missing from White House computer keyboards come January 20.
Look alive people. Nearly half the country still believes in our ideals.
As for what’s coming…we shall see…we shall see…and we shall fight for what we believe is best for our COUNTRY FIRST.
Brat on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
I keep hearing “I hope the GOP will learn the lesson”. What does that mean? who is the GOP? Some convenient scapegoat which is useful because we cannot specifically point to anybody in particular to place blame on?
I am afraid that conservatives will get distracted with blaming the “GOP” or McCain or Palin instead of looking at themselves and the American public. We have a democracy, and we elect our politicians in primaries and elections. We do get what we deserve.
neuquenguy on November 5, 2008 at 8:50 AM
the GOP for better or worse has become known has the Bush party. thus ther GOP’s lesson to be learned is this….we do not like empires, we do not like long drawn out wars,…we do not like massive governmental spending….we do not like big government….we do not like sacrificing our principles when it hurts our country….4 years ago the GOP was the majority party with nothing but gains ahead of it. Bush thought he no longer had to run for reelection and started down a liberal path. We do not like corruption, we do not like pork…
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
I’m in on the NCM! Despite my gloomy statement above, I believe strongly that our action plan should be first and foremost, eliminate those in our party that don’t belong. It’s a time to prune, to eliminate the dead weight, rid us of those that dilute who we are. We need to consolidate and push a message that less taxes, especially corporate and investment taxes, brings more and higher paying jobs. That less government brings more economic efficiency, and more prosperity. That the poor will only break out through the freedom of equal opportunity, not through massive government hand outs. I’m ready to fight. I’m ready to do more. I will not lie down and die to the ignorant majority.
aelhues on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Keep in mind that by 2012 the country might want any president who is not ‘young’.
Phoenician on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Once people see Democrats at work, there will be backlash. And the media will not silence us!
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Allow me to extend a word of thanks to all the moderate Republicans and RINOs out there. Without you, this defeat would never have been possible.
Now get out of our way and let the real conservative leaders run this party.
Pcoop on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
So, seems that way too many parents never told their kids that Santa Claus is a myth perpetuated by the mercantile class to sell products.
Thus, the Santa Claus believers have elected a President based on what? Promises? Free gas? Paid-up mortgages? A united world where all our enemies will sit down next to us and sing joyfully Kumbaya?
I wrote a letter this morning to my re-elected Congressman. Told him that I expected him to adhere to principles, the same principles he talked of during his campaign. Told him that there are many of us who expect ALL our elected officials from city to federal to adhere to those same principles and regard for the rule of law and the Constitution. Told him I expected nothing less. He gave me his word during his campaign. Now he must live up to it. No alibis. No excuses.
We survived Carter I. We will survive Carter II.
Nice editorial in the Wall Street Journal this morning. Written by a former Kerry campaign official. I suggest all read it and give it a lot of thought. And then turn that thought into action. We wouldn’t be where we are today had we not allowed, abetted, encouraged the sort of thing this cogent editorial points out with abundant clarity.
We got Reagan in 1980 because America saw what relying on Carter’s hope and change and no substance could do to us and to the world. I intend to hold the Obama Administration to the same standards I have demanded of every Administration since I first voted decades ago. No alibis. No excuses. I suggest all do the same.
Hamas has once again sent rockets into Israel. The voices in the Middle East are no longer talking of accommodation but of further revenge. I can easily see pressure being applied to the Ukraine, to Georgia, to the Baltic nations that their flirtation with NATO will not be tolerated and being told their American “protectors” will no longer risk life and limb for them.
I am an optimist, but I am no Polyanna. The coming months will give us fair indication as to what to expect from the rest of the world after January 21. We may have behaved like fools this campaign, but the rest of the world is not filled with fools. Reality abroad is alive and well. Reality at home just took a major hit.
I have to wonder what the reaction will be on the streets here when Obama is confronted by an electorate who demand their 40 acres and a mule and a paid-up mortgage. Who demand they get the jobs they were “denied.” Who demand Santa Claus ante up.
I have to wonder what the reaction will be when the incoming Administration is confronted by the Putin’s, Chavez’s, and Kim’s of the world.
I also have to wonder what Conservative America will do over the next several years? Give up with a few whines and whimpers or will we finally get down to business of protecting and defending our Constitution and our way of life…a way of life almost all the rest of the world envies with a blood lust.
It will not be all “hopey” and “changey” once Obama takes that Oath of Office. Yet, hearing from a few pundits on the Left this morning, seems that they are all wonderfully happy that Boooosh is gone.
We survived Carter I. We will survive Carter II.
But do not offer any free passes on anything the incoming Administration does. The liberals have never, ever, offered any free passes to anyone who is not one of their own…ever.
Campaign 2010 and 2012 starts today. This time…get involved, actually involved. Do the phone calls, do the doorbell ringing, collect signatures, collect donations, run for office, or actively support those who do so, instead of sitting around hour after hour at the computer complaining. That sort of thing just doesn’t work well at all. Yesterday sorta established that.
coldwarrior on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
I share that hope. What’s interesting now will be the relinquishment of informal power in exchange for formal power.
By that I mean: For many decades, nonwhite people have always been able to point the finger of blame at Whitey, and The System, and The Man, et al. They never had to take any personal responsibility, oh no not them, they were systematically oppressed. Perpetual children in the universe of grown men.
Now, in the blink of an eye, all of that is gone. Sure, they’ll continue their whining, but it’ll ring increasingly hollow. Leftists won a big victory with the election of Obama but in the long run they may have secured an even bigger defeat in the form of squandering the only real (read: informal) power they ever had.
Careful what you ask for, you just might get it!
Gilda on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Now is the time to rebuild the republican/conservative party, purge the rinos that ruined the party and build with TRUE conservatism
grapeknutz on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
One of the beauties of the American form of government is that we agree to cooperate and live in peace with those with whom we disagree. At least most of the time. So we find ourselves in the minority, surrounded by a majority whom we are sure made a serious mistake.
We’ll live with it. And we will look forward with glad anticipation to the Republican party purging itself of the “big government” wing.
microfiction on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
I like Newt, but I’d prefer to build around someone who’s personal life is unimpeachable. I got tired of hearing about McCain’s screwing around and divorce from 30 years ago.
BuckeyeSam on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Since we apparently have nothing to lose, it may be time for a third party. The main failure of the McCain campaign was that it tried to be moderate, in policy and behavior, when a much stronger brew was in order in both regards. We’ve lost some moderates along the way, such as Colin Powell, so perhaps the party is now more conservative in orientation. If so, good, but if not, this is the time to press our concerns forcefully. We never have won playing me-too Dems. Either we stand for what is right or we will fall.
Vote against every bad measure, and speak clearly against them back in the districts. If you lose your seat, you lose your seat. Stand firm, and force confrontation. Don’t fear the media, disdain them. We’ve had enough compromise over the past 14 years – ever since the government shutdown standoff that we lost – and it has destroyed our integrity and credibility.
Work to keep alternative media open for business, against the coming Dem onslaught. Educational choice will be a prime battleground. They are going to try to lock up all communication and education. It’s the only way they can stay in power, since their policies don’t work.
God help us.
paul1149 on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
It’s almost assured that the Dems will wreck this country if they do even half of what they’re proposing. The key is for the GOP to be prepared to offer a sensible alternative to the voters when the time comes.
Doughboy on November 5, 2008 at 8:53 AM
+1
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 8:55 AM
I did not sleep at all last night. I was so bleary eyed this morning that I took the day off work. And I rarely do that.
But..I am glad this freaking election is over.
Obama can not just keep making promises, he has to govern now. That means making decisions, raising taxes, breaking promises, disappointing all those people who think he is going to make their car payments etc.
I think things might look pretty damn different by 2010.
And for Chrisake, Republicans stop attacking each other and blaming each other. Republicans need to do a better job of supporting their own people. If they won’t…who will?
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 8:55 AM
So… looking forward. Who is going to be the next RNC chair?
Immolate on November 5, 2008 at 8:55 AM
like Newt, but I’d prefer to build around someone who’s personal life is unimpeachable. I got tired of hearing about McCain’s screwing around and divorce from 30 years ago.
BuckeyeSam on November 5, 2008 at 8:54 AM
and thus GOv Palin is the only sensible pick. She scared the hell out of the liberals…she needs to be the party leader…the party needs a new influx of liberatianism..
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Seriously looking at Australia. Not kidding.
aero on November 5, 2008 at 8:56 AM
I used to think of joining the armed forces for honor and adventure back in my high school days. But within my own fairly short lifetime I’ve seen too many people who suit up be stop-lossed without end, come back to decades of ridicule (baby killer!!11!1!”), have their benefits ‘forgotten’, be unable to find employment and generally being thrown to the wolves.
With all due respect for those in uniform…I’d have to be a fool to enlist, even with all the juicy bonuses they’re paying right now.
Dark-Star on November 5, 2008 at 8:56 AM
I wouldn’t call the whole scale deception the Dems just pulled off “right.” Effective, obviously, but very, very wrong.
The voters just voted in the cause of their problems. FDR all over again.
Count to 10 on November 5, 2008 at 8:57 AM
paul:
You have plenty to lose. If a political party broke up and started another party every time they lost an election we would look like one of those European countries with the parliamentary systems and all sorts of little parties. Republicans just need to regroup.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Amen. Let’s drink the AuH2O and fight for our Republic!
We’ll need you, Ed and AP. God bless y’all.
emailnuevo on November 5, 2008 at 8:57 AM
I’m pretty agnostic and what religion I do have I keep to myself when it comes to secular matters like politics, but I hope God figures out a way to screw Obama and all the people who voted for him without screwing the rest of us. I’m sure He’s up to the task, should He choose to do so.
Maybe a plague of some sort that only attacks people stupid people?
venividivici on November 5, 2008 at 8:57 AM
In this atmosphere — including an economic “crisis” that has the smell of “manufactured” about it — I don’t know if even Reagan could have won.
ddrintn on November 5, 2008 at 8:57 AM
I didn’t cry until this morning – when I remembered Obama will be Commander in Chief of our military.
woohoo on November 5, 2008 at 8:58 AM
I sit here this morning a bit stunned at what occurred yesterday.
While I hoped for a McCain victory, I felt fairly sure that Obama would win.
My only consolation was going to be that the election would be far, far closer than anyone was predicting.
Well, so much for THAT!
Yesterday caused me to realize that elections simply are not about picking better candidates (perhaps they never were).
After watching the greatest cipher elected president along with people like Murtha and Stevens being re-elected…
…I’ve come to the conclusion that elections are simply and solely about being on the winning team.
I’m also quickly coming to the conclusion that turning all of this around is going to require taking our schools back from the ’self-esteem’ liberals who have watered down our education so severely.
Quite honestly, I think the solution isn’t smarter and better candidates, but smarter and better voters.
Religious_Zealot on November 5, 2008 at 8:58 AM
katy on November 5, 2008 at 8:52 AM
+1
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 8:59 AM
starfleet:
Don’t get so cocky. Not all that long ago the Republicans were where the Democrats are. But as far as what the Democrats did right, they put a lot of blue dogs in there to win conservative and moderate districts. And if we can believe polls, they have managed to preside over the most unpopular Congress in history. One of the things Democrats had going for them this time was that they did not have so many vulnerable seats up, and they might not in 2010 either. But that has more to do with the way the elections cycle than anything else.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM
I highly doubt the GOP got the message last night. With no due respect to the GOP elite, they’re complete f*cking retards. They’re going to get exactly the wrong message from this election, and will try and go the way of the Tories in the UK, only to get their asses handed to them year after year, and we spiral into Nanny Fascism.
That’s where we come in. We’re going to have to take over the GOP if the Republic is to stop the spread of Marxism in America. Some of us are going to become operatives in the GOP, others of us will become candidates. Others are going to rebuild the culture. Others will start the next phase in building the new media.
doubleplusundead on November 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Uh, Obama won by about the same PV margin and Senate Seat margin as Bush did in ‘04…hence he will get the same amount of respect from me as Bush did from the Dems in ‘04, with revenge for the 4 years prior to that added on.
Bush and McCain turned the other cheek and look what it got them. It’s payback time.
Amen brother…
What good is the biggest bat when the hitter refuses to use it. We had the best military in the 90s too…for all the good it got us in ‘01.
Off to work to earn my takehome pay that will soon drop…and I don’t make nearly $100k a year.
Rogue on November 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Seriously looking at Australia. Not kidding.
aero on November 5, 2008 at 8:56 AM
alsaka’s nice this time of year
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM
I am done with this country. Maybe Bill Maher was right: Americans are stupid, and can’t be trusted to make the right decisions. The question as to my possible return to military service with the Army has finally been answered, and by Barak Obama: NEVER. I will never fight for this country, ever again, I will never champion this country in any way, shape or form, ever again, for as long as I live. The American people do not deserve my patriotism, do not deserve my respect as a Veteran that voluntarily lived in a dangerous country overseas, and worked a dangerous job in the Army. Never again. You can have your ‘new America’. I will have no part of it.
Virus-X on November 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Folks, this was inevitable. It was just a matter of time. Historically, leftists ALWAYS prevail. Not win, prevail. The tipping point is well past and the population of this country is now in “gotta get mine” mode. There is no stepping back from this, once the leftists have consolidated power (they took a BIG step in that direction last night) the totalitarianism will get into full swing. I say “full swing” because we’ve already begun it, and it was both sides that allowed it to happen, but leftists being who they are can never help themselves when it comes to taking the next logical steps.
The press is already dead as a check on power, it will soon be illegal to “speak while republican”, as scooter libby discovered, and the leftists now have a mandate, as Ed accurately stated, to do whatever they want. Prepare for rationed medical care, zero private property, and all speech leftists don’t like being defined as hate speech. Note that all hate speech laws currently on the books involve speech that leftists, exclusively, don’t like. If I can’t go to the town square and critisize my government, I am not free. The pessimism of this thread is well justified, just read your history. The dark times have begun in earnest.
runawayyyy on November 5, 2008 at 9:01 AM
NCM, I’m in.
hawkdriver on November 5, 2008 at 9:01 AM
THIS election was for the following:
*exposing the mass welfare mentality
*finding out that race IS a factor for Obama voters, so I’ll vote for the inspirational white underdog next time. AND DON’T YOU SAY A GD WORD ABOUT IT.
*paving the way for Illegal aliens’ healthcare, SWAMPING already swamped waiting rooms of LEGAL, TAXPAYING CITIZENS (seniors who voted for Obama – Please don’t say we didn’t warn you that your healthcare would effectively be rationed)
*realizing “Tax Cuts for 95%…” are really tax increases.
*educating the stupid that prices for goods and services mysteriously rise when you raise taxes on corporations.
*opening my electric bill to find it has “skyrocketed”
*exposing a majority of Journalists as the frauds that they are.
*reinforcing the need for a law prohibiting non-taxpayers from voting.
*realizing the words Socialist and Marxist means nothing, because the Liberal leaning educators selectively omit its evils, yet teach Capitalism as greed.
*that we’ll look back on the last 8 years as “the good old days”, much to the surprise of the uneducated masses who were fooled by a massive conspiracy.
marklmail on November 5, 2008 at 9:01 AM
We had an election, Obama won and he is now my president. I don’t like it, but I am an American and this is how we do things. I refuse to act like a spoiled, idiot liberal. I will not let them see me act like they did for 8 years. That does not mean I cannot be critical, I just refuse to act like an 8 year old.
Obama, along with his cohorts in the House and Senate, will try and drag this country left, probably much farther left than even rational democrats want it to go. That will be his undoing, provided that republicans can come up with solid leaders who can run a campaign and get their message out. This is still a right of center country, no matter how much the far left wishes it were not.
kam582 on November 5, 2008 at 9:02 AM
I just wanted to thank Loser-tarian Dean Barkley for his help in defeating Norm Coleman in Minnesota!
Thanks!
jeff_from_mpls on November 5, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Mitt Romney?
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 9:03 AM
I’m hoping and praying this administration doesn’t have its own “Operation Eagle Claw”…or worse.
watchmen on November 5, 2008 at 9:04 AM
How do you defend somebody that you don’t trust? How do you support somebody who has a hidden agenda that he only revealed by gaffes and low-profile meetings with elite circles? How do you manage your fears when his past performance validates them? How do you respect somebody who never denounced an organization that notoriously put our right to vote freely and fairly in jeopardy?
sherry on November 5, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Along these lines, and I said so last night, I ask Ed and AP and encourage others to begin identifying the leaders we should be supporting and, also, identifying the POS whom we should not bother supporting.
For my part, as an Ohioan (SW), we have one Republican senator (Voinovich) who’s unimpressive. My rep is Jeanne Schmidt, whom I can take or leave. In the neighboring district is Boehner, whom I can also take or leave.
There may be some stars elsewhere in the state, but someone else will have to chime in. Ohio does claim Ken Blackwell, and I like his tenacity on the voting fraud issues, but he’s not very charismatic.
Perhaps, the two Ohio stars are Rob Portman, who’s currently hanging out as of counsel to a large Ohio law firm. I was hoping he’d get a decent position in a McCain administration. I hate to see him rotting on the vine. Also, there’s John Kasich, and I hear he’s looking to run for governor of Ohio, which would be great.
Speak up.
BuckeyeSam on November 5, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Until Repubs address their two fatal flaws of the last eight years they will remain backbenchers. They were warned about this in 2004, 2006 and did nothing. Senator Lott even bragged about earmarks and spending.
FISCAL RESTRAINT and SMALL GOVERNMENT
Bush, the house and senate members collectively, for whatever reasons, violated these two mandates for Repub existence in ways never imaginable. They took the bridge to nowhere right to here last night. By their folly they have ushered in European style Socialism. We will be living with the New, New Deal for several generations.
America decided last night if you are going to spend us into the poor house we would prefer to have a plan. They chose the promise of Obamaian Socialism knowing full well where it leads. Never forget that. Under Bush and Company it was just random bankruptcy and idiocy. At least with the Dems it will be targeted. Americans are not stupid.
Unless Obama is as clueless as Carter, which I seriously doubt, he will be president for eight years. After that Repubs will have their first real chance at redemption. Prior to that we are dreaming. Most of the remaining Repubs are the same gutless spenders of the last eight years. The rebuilding will be a seat by seat mountain climb in 2010, 12, 14 and then 2016. It will take at least eight years. The incumbent reelection track record says as much.
If you think me wrong about the New, New Deal watch the Senate going forward. The Dems don’t need 60 seats. There are more than enough Repubs who will join them on every bill. They value their careers more than the US balance sheet.
Whatever, don’t blame the MSM, the Dems or whomever, we deserve the bed we are going to be sleeping in. Think of it as camping out in the wilderness!
patrick neid on November 5, 2008 at 9:05 AM
As you and an earlier poster commented, the left requires victim classes to sustain itself, so it will always foment division and envy among identity groups to build it’s power. It’s the modus operandi.
I don’t want to hear it said any more that America is a racist country. But what I want is not what I expect to get. Obama’s election does, however, redouble my determination to fight back against unfair racial preferences and bogus charges of racism.
petefrt on November 5, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Well said.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 9:06 AM
WOLVERINES!!
Red Dawn 2008
journeyscarab on November 5, 2008 at 9:06 AM
Virus:
I am not done with this country. I have lived through several elections and someone has to lose. It happens every time.
I don’t like it, I think Obama will be a disaster, but that does not mean I am through with the country.
I am not going to start sounding like some pampered movie star and threaten to leave or something.
I would not be surprised if the Democrats did not go too far and piss people and lose their majority..again.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 9:06 AM
I have been working elections for ten years now. What I have seen is that the party is unwilling to make any significant investment in voter education and outreach. I worked the polls in Philly yesterday. I saw poll workers going into the booth with the voters and telling them to just click 1, click democrat. One voter had two people in the booth. At two other polls we had our republican watchers thrown out by the democrat election judges. I spoke to college students who did not know they could split their ballot. They were being told they could only vote democrat.
Rush has said for years: We might win the election but the education never stops.
sjramos on November 5, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Expect enlistment rates from bitter clingers to drop through the floor.
The change all those idiot 18 year old may see quite soon? military draft.
funky chicken on November 5, 2008 at 9:08 AM
HAHAHAHAHA. A media whore mentioned a decrease in troops in Iraq because of the decrease in violence. How nice of them to mention it.
Watching these morning news shows is sickening. I hate these media whores. Hope they all go to hell.
gumble on November 5, 2008 at 9:09 AM
This is not about the GOP re-do. The fundamentals of this nation have been destoyed and must be RE-BUILT. Starting with education. Our self respect as a great nation. Our heritage. Our principals of hard work, family, integrity. Our young do not know American history! IF we don’t attack the cancer from the starting point, we cannot expect to recover. We gave up on preserving the importance of God in our culture and this is the final result. It’s bigger than the GOP gang. Much bigger.
katy on November 5, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Were you trying to ask me a question nos?
hawkdriver on November 5, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Where’s ManyRush?
Hey, MR, let’s have beer for breakfast and start planning for tomorrow. Besides, yer buyin’, right?
petefrt on November 5, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Welcome to ‘Nightmare on Pensylvania Avenue’
Lets work hard to minimze the damage and prepare for 2010 and 2012 to regain lost ground.
Conservative through and through.
txdoc on November 5, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Don’t bother, the left has taken over and is slowly undoing all of John Howard’s good work. A portent of what’s to come for the US unfortunately.
Crux Australis on November 5, 2008 at 9:11 AM
FISCAL RESTRAINT and SMALL GOVERNMENT
John McCain was a front line warrior for those concepts his entire career. And the GOP “conservative base” hates him still.
funky chicken on November 5, 2008 at 9:11 AM
True. Much like the Hollywood liberals who wanted to leave the country in 2000 and 2004, conservatives who want to give up and leave in 2008 do not love America. Let me help you pack, we don’t need you.
BohicaTwentyTwo on November 5, 2008 at 9:12 AM
grapeknutz:
It is not just a matter of getting conservatives, conservatives have to find a way to attract people to their political philosophy. If we follow this with a purge, that will only diminish our numbers. We need to find a way to draw more people into the party, to make it viable to people, to make it attractive to them, to make it meaningful in their lives. We have lost enough people and enough demographics to Democrats. We need to grow the party.
I mean, where are all these conservatives? Did they vote for Obama like Buckley?
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 9:12 AM
That might make sense if it was close, but the rinosaurs got blown out of the water.
Just accept the reality, wipe your tears and support our President during wartime. Doing otherwise is un-American, dontcha know.
mofo on November 5, 2008 at 8:41 AM
———————————————————-
Socialism and Communism is Un-American, I will never support a Socialist/Communist President. I don’t think the Dumbocrats even know what being patriotic means.
cmptrnerd on November 5, 2008 at 9:13 AM
You win some, you lose some. Although, I scared about our media. It first I thought the media embarrassing themselves, now I am scared at the extent they go to root for political party. Honestly, I don’t know if I can watch cable news anymore or read a news magazine. That’s how disgusted I am.
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Maybe I am in a pessimissitic mood this morning, but I am afraid you are correct and after last night I don’t see the American people having any more gumption to turn back the tide than do the people of the UK. Honestly, the only real difference between the people of the US and the people of the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe is that we have not yet, as a nation, out and out rejected God. There are still a lot of believers in this country, no offense to the secularists on this thread, but that is the only difference I can discern.
Pessimism aside, that is a powerful difference now that I think about it. So believers, start getting serious about prayer!
Renae on November 5, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I am a recent college grad who voted for Bush, but didn’t become a political junkie until this go round. I have been an avid Hot Air reader all throughout this campaign, and have been so grateful to hear a chorus of sane voices amidst the ridiculous media circus that surrounded Obama.
I simply cannot believe that our nation elected Obama, fully aware of what he is. The USSA are in for a rude awakening when his true colors are shown. I just hope we survives the certain attacks over the next four years, and that we round up someone who has enough of a machine behind him (or her!) to be a legitimate opponent. I will miss Sarah dearly – watching her tear up beside McCain last night broke my heart. I sincerely hope that we haven’t seen the last of her.
pinkelephants on November 5, 2008 at 9:13 AM
funky chicken on Nov.5@ 9:08
With the return of the return of the draft it is important that we educate our youth to understand what our great country represents. They will be what will save this nation if it is to be saved.
thomasaur on November 5, 2008 at 9:13 AM
The economy fall off the press radar today.
drjohn on November 5, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I first must say that I am a conservative in a bluest state in the union NY. Yes Obama is our President-Elect … dang. We can point to the fact that we didn’t know the man and the facts truly prove that. He sold our beautiful Union on a vision of something great and in these times where people are out of work and struggling that is the news they wanted to hear. Now I don’t know about you I would be considered a Blue Dog Democrat and my party just left my sorry a$$ in the station long ago. We suck up this blow and please for heaven sake stop in infighting and put someone up there that stand truly what for conservatism truly believes in. McCain has my eternal respect because he ran a honorable yet flawed run for the White House. To tell you the truth I was glad that Sarah Palin was on the ticket because I saw someone that got me excited for the future. In essence I am in a state of shock as an African American and a conservative. Let the purging fires begin and if I like what I see … I will join the party until then … I will sit on the sidelines, fighting for our free speech and voicing my concerns on abortion and over reaching government. It all starts now!
NorDak75 on November 5, 2008 at 9:14 AM
patrick neid on November 5, 2008 at 9:05 AM
agreed why have socialism lite when you can have socialism…The Reps rewarded business with cotrp welfare at the expense of the population…
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Well if there’s one thing the GOP can offer plenty of, it’s old dudes. :-)
Honestly, I think Jindal’s biggest obstacle is his race. Yes, I realize a black man(half, anyway) just won the Presidency. But if Obama is the disaster I expect him to be, the public might not be so willing to take a chance on another minority candidate so soon.
Whoever is the GOP nominee is 4 years needs to be:
1) Young(er). With McCain’s landslide defeat, we need to finally stick a fork in any non-incumbent candidate older than 70. Dole and McCain were both honorable men, war heroes, and long-time servants to their country. And the public soundly rejected both. Image is everything in today’s society. And old dudes don’t win elections.
2) A Washington outsider. It’s an extreme rarity that 3 out of the 4 people on the 2 tickets are Senators. I don’t see that happening again anytime soon. The public doesn’t trust Congress and the last thing we need is to pick a nominee who is knee deep in the corruption and chaos. Go with a governor.
3) Charismatic. I do value substance over style, which is why Obama never impressed me. But there’s no denying that an ability to appeal to average voters is key to winning the Presidency. For all his faults, Dubya can relate to the common man(and vice versa). So could Palin which is why so many embraced her. McCain is a great man, but a piss poor campaigner.
4) Conservative. Seems like a no-brainer, but who the hell knows with the GOP in its current state? Specifically, I mean fiscally conservative. When we call ourselves a center-right country, that’s what we mean. The majority of Americans, even in the bluest of states, don’t like high taxes, big government, and out-of-control spending. Since we virtually guaranteed to get all 3 with Obama-Pelosi-Reid, we need someone who represents the polar opposite of that agenda.
Come up with a candidate who meets those criteria, and the White House is well within reach in 2012. Give us another RINO old-timer and it’ll be 8 years of Obama.
Doughboy on November 5, 2008 at 9:14 AM
LOL, Ed’s hopes are the stuff of fantasies. I’m waiting for the Democrats to usher in the War Crimes trials of the Bush Administration. Payback is going to be a bitch. The Moonbats are the majority now, and thus, one should expect the absolute worst.
Mister Ghost on November 5, 2008 at 9:14 AM
CruxAustralis:
I thought of John Howard last night when McCain lost. These two men always seemed to have a lot in common to me.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Why not act like the Demoncrats did through the Bush years, it got them want they wanted. I want conservatives to win elections. Not style and grace points.
hawkeye on November 5, 2008 at 9:15 AM
He banished himself on an election bet. Funky Chicken. I supported McCain vehemetly during the campaign once he was picked. So did people like Hannity and Limbaugh. It was never his fiscal stance that made us upset though. Campaign finance reform which did bite him in the ass and always will. Global warming acceptance. Attacking industry and other things were the issues.
hawkdriver on November 5, 2008 at 9:15 AM
I agree. The big loser last night was everyone in the military and their families. Me, I’m a Christian first, conservative second, and Republican third. I’ll keep this defeat in perspective.
Now the Republicans in Congress can actually act together for a change. They need to form a pact of not throwing each other under the bus.
Mojave Mark on November 5, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Doughboy on November 5, 2008 at 9:14 AM
hmmm sarah Palin? meets all the above…
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 9:17 AM
terryannonline:
I did not watch TV last night and I have not had it on today. I do not know when I will watch it again. Somehow reading about this stuff is not as bad as seeing it.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 9:17 AM
OY. That is what I feared, nowhere to really go.
Though, as a biologist, I must confess, I find the wildlife of the continent absolutely fascinating.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Very well said Mark.
hawkdriver on November 5, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Tell that to the victims of the Iranian hostage crisis.
csdeven on November 5, 2008 at 9:18 AM
what is wrong with Vermont?
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Mojave Mark:
I agree, they need to throw the other party under the bus, not each other.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Amidst all of the name-calling and such, the necessary conversation that’s not happening yet: how do conservatives expand their influence to change this country? How do we market the product?
beatcanvas on November 5, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Ed, sorry to see you taking this as just another day in the life of America. This is the beginning of the end of America, and up until yesterday everyone on this blog knoew it. Kissing and making up now that the socialists have managed to gain power is not going to save you from their wrath.
I for one will never, ever, accept that the abandonment of freedom because a majority of the mob was willing to give it away, is OK. It was not OK for Russia when the Communists rose to power. It was not OK in Germany when the Nazis rose to power, and it is not OK here in the new USSA either.
That you now imply that this was just another election and that all you prior words were so much electioneering, measn that I must now also assume that you are not going to be part of any solution. Goodby Ed. Nice knowing you.
MikeA on November 5, 2008 at 9:19 AM
It’s interesting that those not accepting the loss are blaming everyone except the Republicans for the loss. First rule of being a conservative is taking responsibility. No one stole this election. You sound like the morons in 2000.
You lost because you had to fight 8 years of Bush, the last 4 being an unmitigated disaster. You nominated a man past his prime. You cheered the addition of Palin to the ticket, who was a laughingstock 2 weeks into it. You can’t blame the media for the myriad of gaffes committed by the ticket.
How about this? Next time you get near power, you behave like conservatives. Oddly, in the rest of the civilized world, that has absolutely nothing to do with what church people attend, frenzied overspending or increasing the scope of government.
Krydor on November 5, 2008 at 9:20 AM
s
Terrye, the cockiness I’ve seen has primarily been from those on the Republican side, and most have yet to come to grips with the cold reality that the GOP has now suffered two big defeats at the polls in a row. Saying there are a lot of blue dogs is one thing, but the truth is that they’ve replaced former moderate Republicans such as Chris Shays or are now threatening near-death electoral experiences to a fairly moderate Norm Coleman. (If it wasn’t for independent Dean Barkley being in the race, Franken would have beaten Coleman handily.) When stupid rhetoric about Obama’s “socialism” begins falling on deaf ears in states like Indiana, it’s time to acknowledge it’s stupid to keep on saying that sort of thing and get serious.
starfleet_dude on November 5, 2008 at 9:20 AM
I cried right along with Sarah last night. And again this morning when I woke up and realized it wasn’t a nightmare.
pinkelephants on November 5, 2008 at 9:20 AM
As usual, people are misinterpreting these results, and as usual, Ed & Allah are wrong to congratulate a person who has won the Presidencey, and who to his very core, HATES this country, who is a Racist, is married to Racist woman, who thru his own words, radicalized himself and who rejected his own white heritage out of hate; who has been raised since birth by Anti-American Marxists & Communists and Radicals and Anti-Semities in his Grandparents, his parents, his “mentor”, his college friends and Professors, his political sugar daddy, his Pastor, etc.!
That is not something “congratulate”; that is something to fear for the future of this country!
Dale in Atlanta on November 5, 2008 at 9:20 AM
First off, let me say “thank you” to Ed & Allah for everything.
My party abandoned Conservative principles, while failing to see that this country is a center right country, which values principled living much greater than our party leaders thought. Corruption scandals, a sudden love of earmarks and pork spending, and a sudden love of BIGGER government influence in the American household has flat turned off the American people.
Here in Montana, people talk about the need for a clear difference between the (2) parties. Republicans started acting and behaving just like the other guys. The results are clear. If Republicans are to regain the faith of the American people, two things must happen.
First, Republicans must join together and realize that there must be a clear message to the American people that differentiates themselves from the other party; Conservative values never change, only humans change!
Second, Republicans must focus on shrinking the size and scope of the Federal Government. Democrats are a tax and spend party, we all know that. Republicans got caught up trying to behave like Democrats in far too many ways.
For me, I’ll be checking out of the politics for some time, taking a break and clearing the mind. I will continue to pray for my country each and every day. The American people have spoken. I might add this though, the race was very close despite having a president with a 27% approval rating. Democrats now have all of the focus on themselves, with nobody to blame for what is to come. The media behaved in a manner that is beyond disgusting. More than anything, I hope the American people will treat them as they deserve as we go on from here!
Keemo on November 5, 2008 at 9:21 AM
But look at long they’ve been out of power after the way they acted? I faith in the American that if we remain civil the quicker they will return to conservative principles. We need ideas not angry words. I must admit being mean and ugly would be therapeutic right now. However, that’s not what it is about.
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 9:21 AM
JEWS should be so ashamed right now. Israel is our ONLY friend in the region. How? Why?
marklmail on November 5, 2008 at 9:21 AM
You’ve got to be joking. Unless I’ve misjudged Obummer on a massive scale, he’s going to drastically slash the size and budget of the military, not increase it.
Dark-Star on November 5, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Anyone who thinks even if Obama is a disaster the 1st 4 years and wont get re-elected to a 2nd term, hasn’t been paying attention. This guy was probably the worst candidate to ever run for prez. The media will cover for him no matter what happens , he is there chosen one. I guarantee there will be No negative stories about him while he is prez, even if he screws up royally. Might as well except that most people in this country are morons, and the media is the puppet master.
MDWNJ on November 5, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Or the better question, what is wrong with Pennsylvania?
They were calle bitter Americans who cling to their guns and Religion by Obama.
They were called racist rednecks by Murtha.
They voted for both of them?
Hello?
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Well, thank you “real conservatives” for the McCain defeat. You could never bring yourselves to fully back McCain…and instead focused on Palin in 2012 fer cripes sake.
You got what you wanted anyway…Obama won. Now we just sit back and watch him destroy the country so the GOP can make a comeback.
*sigh* If instead of the constant attacks on McCain, you focused on Obama, we might have seen a different outcome.
JetBoy on November 5, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life:
atemely on November 5, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Really? How does three activist supreme court justices work into your scenario?
csdeven on November 5, 2008 at 9:23 AM
I smell a 1994 coming soon. Obama has a very difficult time ahead of him. It don’t come easy, Obammy!
MNDavenotPC on November 5, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Already the United States and the world have set the bar really high for Obama thinking he’ll be the one who can walk on water.
Let him try.
He’ll sink.
And I wonder how many people actually believe that they’ll have their gasoline and mortgage paid for by the Obama administration?
Man, are they going to be disappointed.
Watch for late 2009 onward when middle class taxes go up.
Kokonut on November 5, 2008 at 9:23 AM
My only hope is that Obama wants a second term, which will be his only motivation to go towards the center, something he barely did during the general election.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Finding a consistant media to use to our advantage.
That and we are talking real grass roots reform now. There’s almost nothing left here in NC. Bottom to top we got our clocks cleaned.
hawkdriver on November 5, 2008 at 9:24 AM
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