Republicans on a Roll, To Where?

You roll my log, and I will roll yours.

Seneca (4 BC – 65 AD)

Republicans are on a roll.

Bill Cassidy, MD (R) rolled over Mary Landrieu (D) in Louisiana along with 2 Republican House of Representative candidates in that state, giving Republicans a 54-46 Senate majority and a 246-188 majority in the House., the greatest House majority since 1946.

Republicans now have more state attorney generals than Democrats, and have united to try to reverse E.P.A. and ObamaCare policies across the United States.

To further encourage Republicans, the U.S. economy is on a roll, adding 321,000 jobs, GDP growing at 3.9%, and outpacing European and Asia economies.

In the Real Clear Politics poll roll call, more Americans now declare themselves Republicans (51.6%) than Democrats (45.5%).

Republicans are saying that failed Obama policies got them where they are today – in the majority as far as the eye can see – the Senate, the House, and the Statehouses across the land.

What to make of all of this?

I looked up “roll,” and there are 54 definitions, ranging from "drum roll", to" on a roll", to "bank rolled", to "being rolled".

The message is: Don’t get cocky. You’ve got a long way to go. Congress is even less popular than Obama. And you’re not going to be trusted until you do something. Polls of Americans indicate only 20% approve of Congress while 42% approve of president Obama.

As Peggy Noonan said in her regular “Declarations” column. “Can the GOP Find Unity and Purpose” (WSJ, December 6-7)."

“The president isn’t the story. That’s what Republicans need to know.”

“The story is what they make of their new power.”

“Early on they should take good, small bill, an economic measure that Republicans will and moderate Democrats can support. They should try very hard to do what the president didn’t do; show bipartisan respect, work with the other side, put out your hand. They should get that bill through the House and Senate. If the president vetoes it, they should attempt to override. If they succeed, they’ve made a good law, If they don’t, then try again.”

As President Obama used to say, before his deeds proved otherwise, “We’re all in this together.”

Be a party of the people, rather than the special interests. Be a party that represents working Americans and the middle class, rather than strictly a party for those on the upper and lower fringes.