I have been a Republican for quite some time now.
I can recall, in the second grade, being devastated when Bob Dole lost the Presidential election, as I was the only one in my class to vote for him in the mock election.
I can also remember my joy and excitement in 2000 when George W. Bush upset Al Gore in the craziest election of my lifetime.
I had the same reaction in 2004 when Bush defeated John Kerry.
Of course in 2006 and 2008 my reactions were quite different.
With the Democrats regaining control of both houses and taking the White House in 2008, it goes without saying that it was a somber time to be a Republican.
I personally believe in strong fiscal responsibility, small and transparent government and free markets.
I believe that the United States is the best country in the world and will be for generations.
For me, this is why the coming midterm elections are so important.
With almost every major pollster in the country predicting a Republican sweep, it is likely they will gain control of the House, and possibly even the Senate.
Next week, Republicans will hopefully be given an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen the party, as well as the country.
This will be a crucial moment for the party and their ability to show true character and devotion to the country and their constituents.
In 2006, when Republicans lost control of Congress, people were not pro-Democrat but anti-Republican. With an unpopular war, an unpopular President and a poor economy, almost anyone could have predicted the outcome.
My party had lost its way.
If a Republican congress is sworn in to office in January of 2011, the focus will need to be on bipartisanship and reaching across the aisle; both things that Obama promised in his platform.
In a recent interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Sen. Lindsey Graham of North Carolina stated that President Obama was slanted too far to the left and after the midterm elections would need to become more moderate.
Not only does Obama need to be more moderate, but so do the Republicans.
In 1994 after the Republican revolution, in which 54 Republican seats were gained in the House and the Republicans gained eight seats in the Senate, gridlock followed soon after.
In September, Senate candidate Rob Portman of Ohio said “there will be plenty of room for common ground” amongst the two parties.
Gridlock on Capitol Hill for the next two years could be a deadly blow to the country and public policy in general.
There are some people who say that gridlock is good for the country because it prevents lawmakers from making large policy changes. In reality, it erodes away the governance of the nation and is a cause for ineffective policies.
With thousands of Americans out of work, a growing national debt that is up $2 trillion from two years ago, a broken government and a growing threat in the Middle East, something must be done.
Clearly the country is upset with whats happening.
So am I.
The nation is ready for the “hope” and “change” promised to them two years ago.
