Myrmidonisia
10-11-2006, 15:37
We've had the last couple races deciding our Congressional majority end gracefully, much to my surprise. Both of the incumbent Republican Senators in Montana and Virginia have conceeded defeat without the need for recounts and litigation. That's good.
It seems that politicians on both sides are much more likable in defeat. It's almost as if they feel that an apology is needed after a bitter campaign. The victors owe us an apology, as well, but we don't seem to see it as often. I suppose that the losers must realize that nothing they say is going to hurt them anymore. Some even realize that what they have been engaged in has not been merely an election, but a part of a great nation's life. They discovered that they loved America.
Rep. Harold Ford of Tennessee, who lost his Senate race, said he'd wanted to be in government since he was 4 years old, that people had taken a risk on him, that he was grateful. "I love my country," he said. "Don't lose faith in this great thing called America."
Sen. Lincoln Chafee up in Rhode Island said America is divided; "common ground is becoming scarce." He'd miss those in the Senate "who take their responsibility to govern more seriously than their personal ambitions."
From Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a demonstration of patriotic civility. He praised his opponent as a human being--"a fine man, he'll do a fine job for the state."
Sen. George Allen, gentleman of Virginia, said, "We are placed here on earth to do something well." He vowed to do all he could to help Jim Webb come in and serve in the U.S. Capitol.
What's next for the winners? We've read the "100 hour" plan and that's fine. Get your house in order before you start doing the Nation's business. But don't forget that it is the Nation that you are governing. The last majority did. Learn a lesson in humility from the losers. Good Luck, and God Bless all of you.
It seems that politicians on both sides are much more likable in defeat. It's almost as if they feel that an apology is needed after a bitter campaign. The victors owe us an apology, as well, but we don't seem to see it as often. I suppose that the losers must realize that nothing they say is going to hurt them anymore. Some even realize that what they have been engaged in has not been merely an election, but a part of a great nation's life. They discovered that they loved America.
Rep. Harold Ford of Tennessee, who lost his Senate race, said he'd wanted to be in government since he was 4 years old, that people had taken a risk on him, that he was grateful. "I love my country," he said. "Don't lose faith in this great thing called America."
Sen. Lincoln Chafee up in Rhode Island said America is divided; "common ground is becoming scarce." He'd miss those in the Senate "who take their responsibility to govern more seriously than their personal ambitions."
From Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a demonstration of patriotic civility. He praised his opponent as a human being--"a fine man, he'll do a fine job for the state."
Sen. George Allen, gentleman of Virginia, said, "We are placed here on earth to do something well." He vowed to do all he could to help Jim Webb come in and serve in the U.S. Capitol.
What's next for the winners? We've read the "100 hour" plan and that's fine. Get your house in order before you start doing the Nation's business. But don't forget that it is the Nation that you are governing. The last majority did. Learn a lesson in humility from the losers. Good Luck, and God Bless all of you.