President Obama!

Congratulations to President-elect Obama on his historic achievement. Aside from the obvious fact that he is now the first black President of the United States, Sen. Obama ran a campaign that was in a word, effective. He used technology, the momentum from the press, and an uncanny ability to sacrifice people for political expediency at the right times (e.g., Rev. Wright). Successfully blaming McCain for the "failed policies" of the Bush Administration was key to this entire campaign. In some ways, it's surprising to see no headlines stating "Bush Lost!" or something to that effect.

The political pendulum shifts from left to right, and this election is not unprecedented. President Clinton came to power in 1992 with a similar majority of Democrats in both houses. We weren't assigned our shovels then; rather, the Republicans swept control of Congress in the greatest revolution in American politics. We ushered in the era of Gingrich, the contract with America, and fiscal responsibility. We ran budget surpluses, and saw the biggest economic boom in decades.

You tend to learn a little more from defeat than from victory. While the Democrats can revel, quite justifiably, in their victory today and in the months to come, we Republicans can take hard look at what got us here. While the Democrats chose one of the most liberal Senators in their bunch to run, and win, the Presidency, we chose a moderate by most accounts. If Bush, or the GOP, has had any truly "failed" policies, it has been in trying to reach across the aisle. Attempting to gain good favor from the press and the Democrats, Republicans failed to act in accordance with our principles, to cut spending, and to win the arguments over limited government and greater responsibility and accountability.

Government works for us, not the other way around. That's a strong message that is not dead just yet. The true test of leadership is not in compelling people to act through the lethal force of passed legislation, but rather in convincing others that your arguments are right, just, and best for the country. As Conservatives we will not have the ability to pass laws for at least the next 2 years, so we must rely on the power of logic, and the courage of our convictions.

This Democratic victory does two major things. It gives us a chance for a rebirth as a Conservative party, and it allows us to finally absolve ourselves of blame for any of the shortcomings of the liberal ideology. Let's be perfectly clear about this. Republicans failed, not Conservatism. This batch did not have what it takes to make our arguments effectively to the American people. Sen. McCain is one of the most honorable men to have served our nation, and I'm glad to see him stick around the Senate for a while. Yet, we need a new batch of fresh, young, Conservatives with a flare for tradition! Defend life, defend America, and create a platform based on fiscal responsibility and self-sufficiency for all Americans. That's our simple charge going forward. 55 million Americans chose Sen. McCain as their President, and although that fell short of putting him in office, it speaks volumes about the health of our party. Florida voted for Obama, but they also voted for traditional family values. It's time to go back to our roots, summoning the spirit of Reagan, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, and find a new way forward so that this nation shall not perish from the earth. I respectfully disagree with my favorite radio host, Neal Boortz. He says that we are at a "tipping point" where over half of Americans, who don't pay taxes, will suddenly be the new majority. He brings up some solid points, and I highly suggest you read his "Nuze" column today. Still, our best hope is for a fresh, new batch of CONSERVATIVE Republicans in 2010 to lead the charge!

As a final note, I would like to say that Democrats have gotten what they (and the mainstream press) have asked for... THEY are firmly in power, and they can't blame Bush anymore. Let's see how it works for us.

--Joshua Brooks Sphere: Related Content