Editorial: Election message

The election is over; it’s time to move forward.

“My name is not on the ballot but my policies are … every one of them.” President Obama repeated this message time after time prior to Tuesday’s election, and it’s clear voters in Kansas and throughout the nation got the message loud and clear.

Most Americans, most Kansans, are tired and/or scared of Obama policies and they delivered a punishing blow to the president in state after state in Senate, House and gubernatorial elections.

In Kansas, Democratic candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, Paul Davis of Lawrence and Jill Docking of Wichita, both strong, active and early supporters of Obama, were defeated by incumbent Sam Brownback. In the Senate race, Greg Orman tried to straddle the fence by running as an independent, but voters understood he had been a Democratic hopeful in the 2008 Senate race and had hoped to play the role of a king maker if elected.

Incumbent Roberts surprised many by running away with the race against Orman.

It will be interesting to see what the hundred or so former Republican leaders who made much of their disgust of and opposition to Brownback now have to say about the election. Undoubtedly, many of them thought Davis was a sure winner and their support might put them in line for special attention when a victorious Davis was handing out “thank-yous” in the way of appointive positions or favorable legislation.

It is not surprising the Davis-Docking ticket and the Senate bid by Greg Orman received overwhelming support from Douglas County voters. As some in Lawrence seem so proud of saying, “You’re not in Kansas when you live in Lawrence.”

With electioneering over, now is the time for Brownback to perform in a manner that merits the respect of all Kansans, to set high goals for the state and its residents, work cooperatively and respectfully with those in the Kansas Legislature and put together four years of positive, productive and constructive leadership. If some of his plans are not working out, he shouldn’t hesitate to modify or change his course.

Competition from other states is sure to be intense, but there is no reason Kansas cannot be a leader, setting high standards for others to try to match.

The same is true at the national level. Republicans now will control both the Senate and the House and they have two years to show the public they can put together a sound, positive legislative blueprint and work to develop respectful and cooperative relationships with Democratic legislators.

This is no time to try to pick a fight with Obama, but rather to work for what is best for the country. It’s clear the majority of Americans do not approve of the Obama agenda and the current position of the United States in domestic and foreign affairs. This being the case, there are likely to be severe differences between what those in the White House want and what GOP leaders in Congress want.

Nevertheless, Republican leaders have the opportunity to show the public what they can accomplish for the good of the country and set the stage for a strong position in the 2016 legislative and presidential elections.

Now is not the time for Republicans or those who support the Republican agenda to gloat over election results. Now is the time for GOP leaders to get to work, both in Topeka and in Washington, as well as in all the other states where Republicans are in leadership positions.

It’s a rare opportunity, which should not be — and cannot be — squandered. The name-calling, vicious, mean-spirited campaigning should be over. It’s time to be guided by what’s best for the country.