Yesterday's elections produced some intriguing results. I've read a number of columns and listened to some of the pundits, so I thought I would summarize what I am hearing and offer some of my own thoughts on this matter:
1. Virginia was a behind-the-woodshed a*#whoopin'. The margins of victory were embarrassing - it was as if the Florida Gators showed up to play Richmond Girls School of the Blind. Double digit victories in all the top races. The central area of the state that had gone for Obama in the election was solidly back in the red camp.
2. New Jersey was a behind-the-woodshed a*#whoopin'. Though the margins were significantly smaller than Virginia, turning NJ red is an amazing feat. Those poor folks are sick and tired of the corruption and high taxes. This is the victory that proves Obama's coat tails are quite short - he spent a lot of time campaigning here for naught.
3. New York 23 was a disappointment. It was a lost opportunity. The Democrat's victory in a district that has been held by the Republicans forever, is sad - one more vote for Pelosicare. But this should stand as a lesson to the Republican party everywhere - choose your candidate carefully! Scozzafava was a deeply flawed candidate from the beginning - her bizarre dropping out and endorsement of the Democrat Owens should go down as one of the great betrayals in recent political history. The conservative candidate, Hoffman, ran out of time...the trend line was definitely his and without Scozzy on the ticket, he might have pulled it out. Endorsements by the Republican glitterati like Palin and Thompson were helpful, but not enough to pull this chestnut out of the fire of party division.
4. Each of these elections are still driven by local issues, but the common thread of people revolting against ever increasing levels of debt (and the taxes that will follow) and incumbency should give both parties cause for concern. Though it is a happier day for the right than a year ago, it is not time to stop. They were on the receiving end of this type of treatment in the 2006 election.
5. Social conservatism still wins. The gay marriage initiative in Maine went down to defeat just as it has in 31 other states. Leftards will try to spin this as "conservatives hate gays," but that is simply false. The old adage that your rights end when your "elbow hits my nose," applies here. "Marriage" is an institution that forms the backbone of a stable family and is the cornerstone of civilized society. Water that down and where does it stop? Boy and boy, girl and girl, boy and cat, girl and dog? This is a firewall that will continually be assaulted, but upon which conservatives will be willing to stand every time. Enough!
6. Though on the ascendancy again, the conservative movement has a long way to go. While the core of our message doesn't change, our delivery needs to me constantly refined and we must reject the attempts the statists make to define us. There is no time nor room for gloating. Conservatives must be careful to not overstate their mandate in the same way the Obama people did last year. Those clowns actually thought the American people (swing vote) had bought into a new socialist nirvana...no, they were angry at Bush, scared of the economy and they actually believed Obama when he ran on such conservative principles as:
- Victory in Afghanistan
- No increase in taxes
- Jobs!!
- Teacher accountability
He didn't seem like the liberal crazy he's turned out to be. Liberals know they can't get elected on their core principles - deception is the only way in.
In sum though, there are some themes that still define the American public:
a) It is still a center right nation. This is validated by numerous polls - most recently Gallup's numbers that put the number of people that define themselves as "conservative" at about 40% - those that said "liberal" less than 20%.
b) This is a nation deeply agitated about the state of the economy, the joblessness and the general direction of the country.
If the Republicans can regain their swagger as a result of last night it will be a good thing. But much work needs to be done. This is a baby step, but it is in the right direction. Conservatism is about freedom - the right kind of freedom. Statists offer a freedom from responsibility and consequences. Conservatives offer freedom of the human mind and of the individual...we need to continue to make that message clear.