THE MIDTERM MORNING AFTER

Well, we certainly don't have to wait as long for election returns these days.
If political signs are still out on the corner the morning after, it's aggravating.
So we've lived through another election, and I'm thinking of that old saying
"Americans have uncommon good sense when they go to vote".
Wouldn't have said that in 2008, but now the pendulum swings back.

I'm grateful for the big new freshman class up on the Hill.  These newbies may not know "how things are done".  Hope not.  But the election gave us some surprises about who will be back.  Reid.  Nevada, what were you thinking, Honey?  I read this a.m. that the Senator was  interested in compromise.  Methinks his tail is singed.

My new fav freshman is Col. Allen West from down in Florida.  His tag line is that he is the first black Republican elected since 1870.  I'm so glad that is not the only thing in the Colonel's resume.  Allen West has both a record of service to his country and conservative, no-nonsense thinking.  He says that he is going to Washington to do his assignment and then he's COMING HOME.  Good.  Those positions have a way of changing office-holders.

Let's back up and take a look at the election as a whole.  What drove the voters and what political forces drove the election?  Voters turned out in a midterm because of the economy and their repudiation of big government.  And the political forces?

1.  THE TEA PARTY.  Apparently the people didn't buy the slime of "racist and extremist" because the Tea Party proved to be a major force in American politics this season.  Their Senatorial candidates who won were Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Marco Rubio, John Boozman, Mike Crapo, Jerry Moran, John Hoeven, Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint, John Thune, and Ron Johnson.  Additionally, they wait to see about two tight races in Washington and Colorado (Ken Buck and Dino Rossi). 

The Tea Party had eight candidates for Governor.  Three men (Keet/AR, Paladino/NY, Tancredo/CO) went down, three women (Haley/SC, Fallin/OK, Martinez/NM) won, and there are two cliff-hangers (Rick Scott in Florida and Tom Emmer in Minnesota).  The Tea Party also supported Paul LePage who won in Maine.   

2.  SARAH PALIN.  Sorry, Cher.  Sarah is a mover/shaker and the star of the Republican party.  Her Mama Grizzlies did not all win, but she touched a spot in women across the nation with her characterization of women looking out for the next generation.  Watch how that encourages other women to step up next time.  Kudos to Sarah Palin for enduring viciousness.


Mama Grizzlies Christine and Carly and Sharron went down...but look at these Republican women who roared last night:


Nikki Haley (Indian-American Governor/South Carolina)
Vicky Hartzler (Congresswoman/MO)
Kristi Noem (Congresswoman/South Dakota)
Susana Martinez (first Latina Governor/New Mexico)
Kelly Ayotte (Senator/New Hampshire)
Mary Fallin (first female Governor, OK)
Michele Bachmann (re-elected Congresswoman/MN)


3.  REPUBLICAN MINORITIES.  Nikki Haley (Indian-American), Marco Rubio (Cuban-American), Susana Martinez (Hispanic), and Allen West and Tim Scott (conservative African-Americans) dispel the notion that Republicans are all white guys.  Finally.


4.  PELOSI stimulated Republican voters.


5.  NEGATIVE COAT TAILS.  The Dems ran from Obama's record and his healthcare like lemmings.  The Democratic governor who won in West Virginia, Joe Manchin, won because he not only set himself apart from his party with an elbow-locked distance...he actually publically disowned their philosophy.


So now what?  If you thought the elections were tough, now consider what lies ahead for our divided nation.  Where is there room for compromise?  Is it likely that the President will suddenly decide his "hope and change" can be diminished?  Is it likely that the newbies (fresh from a mandate wave) will fall in line with the Democratic majority in the Senate?


If it ever was obvious that we cannot rest our full weight on the "here and now"...we know it is now.  These people we elected will do their best.  America is watching and will have NONE of the old "say one thing/do another" doublespeak.  But what can be done to ease the division?

Let's PRAY.  America needs to be on her knees now more than ever to give these men and women who have stepped forward to be our leaders the ability to lead.  Pray for wisdom to know the way forward.  Pray that God would give a way through gridlock.  If they lock heads, it will be two more years until we can vote again.  We need jobs TODAY.  And a strong defense.  And leadership who knows why Israel is our friend.


Let's pray to that end.  But let's pray knowing our security is not in what man may or may not do.  My hope is not a campaign slogan attached to the word "change".  My hope is in the mighty and omnipotent hand of the living God.  He alone controls the future.  And at His signal, a new kingdom will begin whose government will have no end.


But in the meantime, let's work with what we have through prayer.

	"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." 2Chronicles 7.14 NLT