While many conservatives and Republicans are celebrating the election massacre that took place on Tuesday, their joy needs to be tempered by a few things to consider.
For one, many Americans may hesitate to vote for a Republican presidential candidate in 2016 if it would mean that Republicans control both the executive and legislative branches of government. Most Americans believe that we need two parties in power to counterbalance each other—which in their view is the American democratic way. (I don’t necessarily agree with this view.)
Second, any party in control is also going to be the party blamed if things don’t go right with the nation in the next two years. That being said, the Republicans have their work cut out for them and will need to show that they can truly deliver when it comes to reversing policy items like Obamacare.
If in two years it is demonstrated that the Republicans talk tough but cannot deliver anything more than rhetoric, then the American people will most likely go for a Democratic president. Also, if the opportunity comes and President Obama is able to get a far-left liberal justice confirmed to the Supreme Court, many conservatives and mainstream Americans will be demoralized and wonder if there is any real distinction between both parties.
Third, many things are beyond politicians’ control when it comes to situations, or the whims of the people, or politics. Hence, if things get worse rather than better because it is deemed some of their (Republicans’) policies backfire and/or if there is a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina or another terrorist attack and there is a perceived lack of congressional response, then that can spell huge problems for the Republicans.
Fourth, if Obama wakes up and does what Bill Clinton did in the 1990s when he was faced with a Republican-controlled congress and strategically began to move more toward the center in compromise to avoid being a lame duck, then the Obama presidency has a chance to end on a good note—paving the way for another Democratic president.
Last, if the Republicans cannot put forward a competent presidential candidate with a compelling vision for the future of America (such as President Reagan), and if we are left with candidates like the previous two Republicans (Mitt Romney and John McCain) who seemed to be lukewarm when it came to conservative social values, then we will probably have another Democratic president. Therefore, although Republicans have a lot to celebrate, they should hold the celebration and get back to making America great again!
Joseph Mattera is overseeing bishop of Resurrection Church and Christ Covenant Coalition, in Brooklyn, New York.
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