Seemingly using tactics learned from Mayor Daley's father, a vastly unpopular Harry Reid managed to squeak a narrow win over an inferior opponent in recession-ridden Nevada. That is sad, I really didn't want to hear about him over the next two years. I cheer myself up by remembering that I will no longer be looking at Speaker Pelosi's Botox work.
Not capturing the Senate may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, at least some of the pundit class think this could be true. It makes it harder for the electorate to blame the GOP for the inevitable failures of the Congress. Our candidates in 2012 can still run against the Democrat establishment comprised of Obama and Reid. As this election demonstrates, there are distinct advantages to being on the outside looking in.
One nice thing the Republican "wave" brought was some wins in New England, an area that has appeared lost to the GOP over the last decade or two. We also elected some minority GOP candidates: blacks, Hispanics and another East Indian. That makes ragging on us as racists more difficult.
I look forward to seeing a summary of the election results. Perhaps there is more reason for happiness than I am experiencing now. I think Majority Leader-in-waiting Boehner had it right, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
