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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Congratulations. Now where’s Newt?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It is a measure certainly of the greatness of America that less than half a century after the civil rights movement a man whose skin color was once a barrier to full participation in the American Dream is now elected President of the United States.
Rejoice, certainly, that we have come so far in one lifetime.Barack Obama’s election says to every man, woman and child the world over that this is the land of opportunity and citizenship in our republic is something to be cherished. It is an historic occasion.
Time will come to spell out our policy differences. President-elect Obama and John McCain represented competing visions for America and the country has chosen. For those of us who preferred McCain’s vision, the challenge now is to find a unified approach that keeps America strong economically and militarily.
That challenge is less daunting if Democrats have not come to power with a filibuster-proof Senate. They’re close with some U.S. Senate races still undecided. Too much power would tempt the majority to push through judges who see the courts as instruments to preferred outcomes and to push through legislation harmful to job creation.
The country will be much the stronger and far more unified if the President-elect is able to stand up to his party’s left wing and govern, as Bill Clinton did, as a moderate.
As for Republicans, the loss is occasion to reexamine the party’s message. There’s probably no better person to lead those conversations than former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who has a knack for reinterpreting conservatism without undermining core principles. Plainly a majority of the country has grown comfortable with big government. The challenge is to find and articulate a course that will wean them from dependency.
That’s work for another day, though. The American people spoke Tuesday and their choice is to be honored and respected. Barack Obama has won the right to pursue his agenda.
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