My advice to all Republicans: For the next 11 weeks, enjoy the fact that this nation has elected its first Black President. It is not the culmination of the promise of America, but it is visual, immediate evidence of the inherent goodness, freedom, and promise of America. It may be symbolic, but symbolism is important in its own right.Take heart. Barack Obama did not get to the office because affirmative action mandated it, because he was entitled to it by any means, or because he was Black. The race vote was a contributor just like many things, but it was not the reason he won. I'm sorry, but no matter how much Black turnout there is, Democrats won't win Mississippi. This election was about more than people voting on race. It was the clear choice of the American people. Will I seek to persuade the public? Will I seek to change hearts and minds? Of course I will. I am a Republican. But shall I resist and fight the decision of the ballot? That is silliness, smallness, and futility.
Obama won it because he's good. He's smooth. And he knows how to play off his strengths and take advantage of the moment. He knows that the country does not like Bush right now. Obama is not Bush, and he rode that mantra of "Change" to the White House. That's a good politician. And as somebody who takes an interest in the acquisition of power, I have to appreciate the brilliance of it all. Barack has good qualities. You can' become President of the United States if you don't. So, bravo, Barack, bravo! Republicans may be tempted to angrily point out that the election was based on ambiguous "Change" and lacked any concrete ideals. But why do you get mad at the world for being the way it has always been? The public has always been swayed by attractive politicians, widespread amorphous promises, great communicators, various cults of popularity, and sweet sounding rhetoric. That will not change. My advice to future Republican politicians: become persuasive, become good looking, put honey on your lips, and use these tools for good ends. You may be a well intentioned politician and correct in your conservative policies, but a foolish-looking well-intentioned politician still looks like a fool.
Now, about John McCain's campaign. John McCain deserves the respect of the entire country. He is a man of respect, grace, honor, and service. His concession speech showed that he is a true gentleman, who does not give in to the cheering temptation of reveling in the vanity of the public's fickle friendship. That is the kind of politician we have been missing for so long. He is one who is concerned about service and good policy over power and public opinion. He is one who has a genuine respect for his colleagues, an ear open to thoughtful criticism, review, and reform. This respect is what feeds McCain's talk of reasonable compromise, and conservatives should not fear that kind of talk. It holds tight to fundamental truths and compromises on the details of opinion. It has guided America through centuries of good government, and it has been lacking as of late.And for Republicans: You should appreciate John McCain's contributions to the Republican party. John McCain's popular vote totals are around 47% to Barack Obama's 53% right now. George H. W. Bush took in 38% with his loss in 1992, and Bob Dole gained around 41% in 1996. Neither of these men had near the challenges of John McCain in this election. The 47% that John McCain gained is not enough for a win, but it is enough for legitimacy. And legitimacy is something Republicans have almost lost in the past four years. If Republicans lost legitimacy, we could expect something similar to the FDR Democratic takeover and control of government. It could have lasted 20 years. In the past, sometimes they've lasted longer. But since Republicans have maintained their legitimacy, if we only prune off the corruption and bad policy that has plagued us over the last 4 years, Republicans could be back on their feet in four to six years. That's amazing, and you can thank John McCain for that.
And specifically to Social Conservatives: You were some of John McCain's most vocal critics, but he has become one of your greatest benefactors. The standard bearer of centrist Republican policy in Congress reached out and saw the legitimacy of your views and your importance within the party. He stayed pro-life and kept it a cornerstone of the Party. He reinvented and unified the party with the pick of Sarah Palin, adding a fresh face and a rising social conservative to the short list of Republicans who have a future in politics. You can thank John McCain for that. Social conservatives will look back in ten years and realize that John McCain was always their best friend. It's a shame they noticed this all too late.
To Christian Evangelicals: Are you frightened of an Obama Presidency? Do you think it foretells of a country lost and of hardship for the church? If so, let me ask: Why do you see your Christianity so tied to political gains? What limits the Church to a socially conservative Republican President? Is your faith really that small? Christians lived under Nero, they lived under the inquisition, they have resisted the Islamic advances, and Communism's aggressive, authoritarian, and murderous Atheism. We have been killed, burned, enslaved, and martyred. But Christ died, he rose again, he lives, he is immune to death, and he will come again. And you are afraid of Barack Obama? Oh, ye cowards of little faith. Gather your tools and join the harvest. The work is plenty and the laborers are few. Don't let the weather of politics delay your task.
And about John McCain in general. If you watched his Concession speech and placed it within the context of his political life, you will see that McCain was one of the last true gentlemen, one of a dying breed of real statesmen, and a man dedicated to the service of his country. He was polite and gracious, giving credit and congratulations to Obama for the virtues that he holds. His duty was to bring closure at the end of a long hard fight and to begin again the work of serving the country he has always loved. We need more men like him in our government. John McCain is my political hero, and I hope he is not forgotten.McCain's concession gave way to Obama's more enthusiastic Acceptance Speech. There was little talk of specific policies, and a great deal of celebration about the greatness of America: the power to rise to the occasion, the power to continually change for the better, and the uniqueness and hope that this country has always offered to the world. Sure I disagree with the policies and philosophy of Barack Obama. But I love what his election represents. It represents the openness and freedom that this country created and cherishes. It's symbolism, but I like it. I like it a lot. I like how Obama's election is the result of the promise, greatness, and goodness of America.So yes, for 11 weeks, I will enjoy the fact that America has elected its first Black President. I will enjoy it until January 20th, 2009. At that point, I will actually have to deal with an Obama administration. Policies will come forth. Ideas, ideals, values, and voices will clash, and the game will begin again. I will continue to fight the good fight, acting on my conscience's demands. That starts on January 20th, 2009, but between now and then, I'm going to admire the greatness of my country.
-J. Caleb Jones
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