Make No Mistake...

Alright, so let's not mince words here: Georgia is a red state. A pure, through-and-through, red state; at least as far as this cycle goes. It hurts to lose in such a sweeping manner, it really does. But I can handle loss; there were some legitimate, hard-fought races that were settled last night: Agriculture Commissioner, won by Gary Black...who I voted for (Congrats Gary), State School Superintendent, won by John Barge, who I did not support, but is at least competent in the educational field, U.S. Senator, handily won by Johnny Isakson; no surprise there, even the Governor's race, which I think must have been one of the smelliest races, because everyone I've talked to, who voted for Deal or for Barnes, said they held their nose while they did it, etc, etc, etc...

What I don't like about this "wave" of conservatism is that some really BAD candidates got (re)-elected last night too, for no other reason than they were Republicans in a Republican year. I cannot see how anybody with two ears or a brain could cast a vote for Casey Cagle. The man has a silver tongue, yes; but the luster only hides the fangs. Devoid of any conscience or ethical guidepost, he coasted to victory on the (R) by his name. Just like Sam Olens. A terrible candidate for Attorney General, won his race pretty easily because of his party. Just like Mark Butler in the Labor Race, dogged by ethics complaints. All these terrible candidates, with nothing to offer but party labels and enough ethical questions to keep that commission up for nights on end, made it to top statewide offices because it was a "Republican year." Because "conservatives" voted straight ticket ballots in this "Republican year." I didn't even do that. I lean Democratic most of the time, but I didn't let the little (D) or (R) make the final decision for me. I don't know what voters were thinking, because they weren't. They weren't thinking. They were following the R's like sheep. Well, let me be the one to break it to you: because you voted by the letter and not by the candidate, you missed out on Carol Porter. Ms. Carol is one of the most intelligent, talented, articulate, and ethically sound candidates I've ever had the privilege of meeting for any office, any where, whatsoever. Period. And yet, people just didn't seem to care. It's okay though, I'm willing to bet this won't be the last time you see her on a ballot (at least that's my hope). Make no mistake about it.

The U.S. House of Representatives morphed into a bit of Red Sea itself last night. And I don't think that had as much to do with the President as it did with Speaker Pelosi. She was the whipping girl on that side of Congress this year. I didn't prefer her as speaker anyway, but it doesn't matter now. (Soon to be) Speaker Boehner will find out what it's like to have national eyes on you all the time. The wave was somewhat mild in the Senate. As Democrats held on in West Virginia, California, Colorado, and most surprisingly by a large margin in Nevada. You just can't seem to beat Harry Reid. I would also like to say to the Tea Party: I know you guys would love to take credit for the enthusiasm and the wins, but there were some places last night, where you got nailed to the wall. Voters were angry, but not stupid. The stamped return to sender on your Sharron Angle, your Christine O'Donnell, your Ken Buck, and it looks like the voters of Alaska are about to slap you in the face and keep their Senior Senator Lisa Murkowski. They'd rather manually write-in her name than have to swallow anything brewed by Sarah Palin and Joe Miller. And you should remember that come 2012; just because your radical, incompetent, out-of-the-mainstream candidates can win primaries, does NOT mean they can win general elections. In states where it counts, moderate candidates win general elections. Period. This is why you'll hear many Democrats say they hope Sarah Palin runs for President in 2012; cause she can sure win a Republican primary...but get (as President Bush once eloquently put it) a "thumpin'" in the general election.

All in all, only time will tell. Can Congress get things done? Can they work together and compromise? Can Speaker Boehner lead more cohesively than Ms. Pelosi? Can the President and Republicans find common ground? And can Republicans and (Tea Party) Republicans coexist in the same legislative building without tearing one another apart? Make no mistake, it's all calculated with 2012 in mind. Oh and by the way, just in case you were wondering when the 2012 Presidential Election talk starts...it already has ;-)