Lessons from Election 2008

It is often said that one learns more through defeat than victory.  Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. It seems that the majority of Americans have chosen style over substance, but ultimately God is in control and He is still sovereign over all things.

Republicans must now realize that being a moderate or liberal Republican will not resonate with most Americans or result in votes. Conservatism must be articulated and practiced for the 2010 election and beyond. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Sarah Palin was not a drag on the McCain-Palin ticket… McCain was. McCain ran a traditional campaign while Obama had the money and the foot soldiers on the ground and in cyberspace (Facebook, Myspace, etc.) to get voters to pull the lever for him.  While I admire Senator McCain’s service to our nation, his positions on global warming, immigration, and campaign finance reform irritated the GOP base and, despite Palin’s injection of enthusiasm, could not inspire most independent voters to cross the aisle for him. 

This country will change, but will it change for better or for worse?  That remains to be seen. Ultimately, politicians can’t make us happy and this, I fear, is the sad lesson of the 2008 election. While Obama’s words and lofty promises may have inspired millions of votes, it is his deeds that he will be judged by. May God have mercy on the United States of America.