Some post-election post-mortem

Not unexpected, frankly. Many of us were out there screaming at
the top of our lungs about running on an issue that united all Republicans --
judicial nominations. Worked quite well in 2002 and 2004 and for whatever
reason, it was abandoned in 2006, on the verge of what could be the most
important nomination to the SCOTUS in our lifetimes. Foolish.

Spending like drunken sailors certainly didn't help and further abandonment
of conservative principles added fuel to the disenchantment of economic and
social conservatives alike. Face it, my conservative brethren -- we were ALL
disappointed and frustrated at the complete lack of motivation to champion
conservative ideas despite having majorities in both houses and the Presidency.
So sure, the most diehard of us voted, but it wasn't enthusiastic.

But notice something interesting here -- Several marriage amendments passed.
The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative passed. An "English Only" initiative passed.
And the Democrats that won? They ran as conservative, blue dog democrats.
They didn't win, folks. We lost, badly, because they took up the conservative
mantra that Republicans had abandoned.

Just like Bill Bennett said in 1996 or so...."We were so afraid of standing for
something and losing that we stood for nothing and lost anyways." Boldness has its
cost to be sure, but it also has its benefits -- like folks know definitively where you
stand.

Unlike the wailing and gnashing of teeth that rebounded through leftists
communities after the thrashings of 2000, 2002 and 2004, I actually feel more
determined and dedicated than ever. I can't look into the eyes of my children
and say, "all is lost, so let's give up!" And with a precious baby girl on the way, I
will hardly show her that the first lesson in life is to give up when things get tough.

No, no, no. Lick your wounds if you must, fellow conservatives, but resist the
temptation to form a circular firing squad.

We lost. It happens. Toughen up. Daylight is burning....and there is much, much
work to do.

Let's roll.