Since election day, I've received no less than 800 emails and have been approached by a great many people, all of them wondering: "How are you handling this?" and "Are you okay, Jim?" One of them referred to me as "the staunchest Republican." That caught me off-guard and was a bit amusing as well - seeing how I strongly believe the fringe element of the so-called "religious right" is a liability to the Party, and that I voted yes on the "Death with Dignity" ballot proposition - bringing on scorn from some fellow Republicans.
So ... I'm finally ready to talk about the election of Barak Obama and what this staunch Republican thinks of it ...
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First, in case you think I've been drinking all this "Come together" Koolaid that's being poured from the president-elect, let me assure you that I realize it's much like how everyone came together to sing the national anthem on the Capital steps following Sept. 11 - it's a matter of political convenience and expediency.
That said, the fact of the matter is that this election is over and was a stunning example of how the American system really does work. People can bring change without resorting to civil unrest. We can control our destinies. We are fortunate enough to live in a great democracy that allows us to choose our leaders. By virtue of this not being a dictatorship, someone always loses. But lose we must in order to make this a more perfect union and to preserve the sanctity of our system. As my brother said so well: "Win with humility and lose with humility."
I do not agree with Obama on a great many important issues. Trust has to be earned and he's not yet earned mine (in fact, he's starting with somewhat of a deficit.) That said, he is my President. For eight years, I've railed against the "Bush haters." - those who blame everything on George W. Bush whether it was deserved or not. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, I will not become one of them but will, rather, continue to be a good American. I will always respect the office of the President, I will support my goverment and will also start working right now toward the election four years from now. If we're to win then, it will ALL hinge on what we do in the next week, the next month, the next year. We can let our hurt feelings and theological and ideological differences work to deepen the rift between our two parties or we can be gracious, respect the office of the President and move forward as a united nation.
Obama won, fair and square, with a mandate from Americans in all walks of life (along with a great deal of help from the national media), including evangelicals and some conservatives. In four years, we'll have another go at it. But people will have to be won over and that won't happen if we get petty, nasty and disrespectful.
In summary, Obama is now my President and I wish him great success. He hasn't taken the oath of office yet and hasn't really done anything in an official capacity yet, so I have no criticism. I will support him as best I can but will also enthusiastically oppose him where we differ in principle or conviction. I will be gracious and work across the aisle but will not ever compromise my deeply held (staunch!) convictions, morals and beliefs. Obama conducted most of his campaign from center left (as opposed to the far left). So long as he doesn't succumb to the siren song of a far-left Congress, he will likely be an effective and popular President.
Right now, the Koolaid is a dime for a dozen cups.
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