A Few Reasons For Optimism As We Look Toward 2014 And Beyond

Make no mistake as the election results clearly say it; we got pasted. We can point fingers and wring our hands, but the truth is we got flogged.  Nevertheless, there are no permanent winners or permanent losers in the American political system.

Conservatism did not necessarily lose. We got about 48% of the vote, but there may be another 5% who understand economies and can be convinced to vote for a conservative Republican in 2016. We held the House; and some observers are saying that although our numbers are smaller, we have a more conservative caucus than we had in the last Congress.

We have more governorships (30) now, which is more than we have had in a long time. This edge presents a possibility that they will hold the line on implementing state healthcare systems. If just a few refuse and force the federal government to set up these state-level systems, the whole of Obamacare will collapse. The federal government will look to the House for funding, and the House will say no – IF we keep the pressure up.

We have some well-known players who will step up to test the presidential waters over the next four years.  If we can make our own selection and avoid people like Chris Christie – who couldn’t carry his own state of New Jersey – we might have a good chance of beating Hillary Clinton.

Barack Obama did his worst among states with photo Id or some ID requirements to vote. The day after Election Day, the Pennsylvania photo ID law went into effect, and other states will follow suit.

The Democrats’ tendency to overplay their hand is also a potential “Ace in the hole” for Republicans.  Because they and their supporters believe we will be much better off under Obama’s policies, they will constantly remind America that they are the saviors of the country. When things go sour, it will present an opportunity to appeal to a segment of our society that will be disadvantaged so severely they will be forced to the polls as their only remaining option.