11/18/2008

It's Their Turn

A lot has been said about the need for the American people to come together following the election. I, of course, agree with this sentiment for all of the obvious reason. However, I also agree with it for other reasons.

First, the winner should be give a chance to govern. There is always a chance that President-elect Obama is right on the issues and I am wrong. Of course I do not think that is the case, but he has earned the benefit of the doubt and we should see how things play out.

Second, the perpetual election cycle is not good for anyone (except those in the 24 hour news business). The cost in time, energy and money is substantial. It also has the effect of undermining those who are newly elected or re-elected, like a shadow government.

It is absurd that the media is hounding Gov. Sarah Palin about her plans for 2012. Many things can happen in the next four years and it seems to me to be more than opportunistic for her, or anyone else, to be positioning herself for the next big race. Gov. Palin is not the only one already jockeying for position. Gov. Bobby Jindal and Gov. Mike Huckabee are planning trips to Iowa in December. For what other reason would anyone want to visit Iowa in the winter?

During the last election cycle, Rep. Duncan Hunter (who was actually my first choice for the Republican nomination) announced that he was running for president prior to the 2006 mid-term elections. We all saw how far he got. Was he even invited to the debates during the primary season? Besides, those who start running extremely early should beware. Remember the front runners in the 2008 race? What happened to President Giuliani or President Hillary Clinton?

It’s important to remember that President Richard Nixon did not start his 1968 campaign until March of that year. Imagine a world where the presidential election cycle was only eight months long. This past cycle last nearly three times that long. The news networks would be forced to cover real news for a change.

All of this doesn’t mean that we should not provide a loyal opposition. When we believe that the new president is wrong, we should speak out. When we think that his policies will not be good for the country, we should tell him. However, let’s do it without the vitriol that was directed at President Bush.

Let’s give the winners a chance. Elections have consequences and those in power will be held accountable in the next election. But at least let them take office before we start it all over again.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Steve, you're correct to give Obama a chance, but what choice do we have! I think you and other of the conservative persuasion may be surprised just how much of a centrist he is. Frankly, he's going to have his hands full just trying to get the economy back on track, and I doubt that much else will distract him for some time to come. I'm looking forward to seeing how long it takes for the liberals to call for his impeachment!

Steven L. Baerson said...

Hopefully, no onw will call for anyone's impeachment. The impeachment debates are almost always wrong. As the constitution says, it's for high crimes. The idea is to beat them in the elections, not by a trial in the Senate.