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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

The After. The Before. The Future, Present, and Past.

The Day After and the Day After That, We?ll Fight On.

Like yesterday and tomorrow, the sun rises today. The landscape this morning, early as I post, looks much different from yesterday.

Congratulations to Barack Obama who has made history and proven we are nation that has moved beyond the need for quotas and affirmative action. The thirty years Sandra Day O’Connor speculated we might need before reconsidering affirmative action came a hell of a lot earlier than she thought.

A few weeks ago in Sunday School our teacher pointed out that many people confuse the church for a hospital. People come in to take care of their problems, share sympathies with like minded friends, etc. In fact, the church is part of an army on the front lines advancing against hell. Like any good army, there is a hospital component, but it’s all part of the army in the war.

Politics is the same way. At least I view it as such.

We now here have a day of rest. I’ve suggested to the contributors that they take a break today. We’ve fought hard. We’ve won some. We’ve lost some. The tide has turned against us for now. Some of you too are facing burn out. You’ve put in blood, sweat, and tears and we’ve ended up here. Breathe.

RedState stands at the front lines in the fight against the left. We fight hard here. We are not always meant to win. This is a never ending war. Often we view the fight for the White House as the war, but it is just one battle along the way. The war in politics between left and right does not end.

So some of you today are exhausted. Many of you are disappointed and depressed. You need a break. I understand completely. Here is my advice and my caution.

Many of you have been with us on the front lines slogging it out for months on end, never resting and never yielding. You need to go to the back, rest, and recover. In the army the field hospital is well off the front, but not out of the sound of fire. When troops are pulled from the front, they need to rest and recover, but not be so far removed that they mentally extricate themselves from the fight all together.

The same is true for us. You may not want to post diaries for a while. You may not want to engage in the comments. You may be feeling raw and just don’t want to deal with it. So don’t. Rest and recover. But stop by the site and read. Stay engaged on email. Don’t withdraw completely, despite your inclination to do so. At some point again you will be needed. We will need you. And you will again, though you may not think so today, you will again want to fight.

Take today and rest. Enjoy your friends and family.

I hope our contributors take a day too to rest. Work through and away from the burn out. Get your mind right again. The front now changes. The fight is now different. Things will change of necessity.

But RedState remains on the front lines. We will still be here tomorrow. We continue to fight. We aim to win. In the coming weeks we’ll deploy new tools, new weapons, and new contributors in this new fight. It is going to be damn fun. That I promise.

So take today and rest. I can’t blame you. In the mean time I will stand watch on the front. I will fight the fight while you re-energize. I’ll still be here when you come back. And when you do come back, you can stand on either hand and continue to keep this bridge with me. I’ll rest when I’m dead. At RedState, we fight on.

— Erick

COMMENTS

  • JoeG

    The day isn’t done over here.

    I’m watching two senate races.

    Coleman is up 15K right now.

    Smith is down 5K.

  • JoeG

    And Stevens may pull it out…

  • dld1717

    Most of remaining precints are in Oberstar district

  • Robin_Lionheart

    McCain’s concession speech was dignified and classy. (Pity his audience wasn’t; they booed and yelled when he spoke of working with Obama.) Let’s hope we’ll see more of this McCain now that his campaign is over.

  • JoeG

    Hillary talked about how McCain was the only Senator that was nice to her. Even the other dems weren’t nice.

    I just wonder if the media will go back to talking about him as their favorite republican?

  • dld1717

    Coleman is ahead by less then 100 now

  • KyleH

    but there is a little part of me that hopes the Franken wins. He is such a buffoon and angry leftist. If the GOP had any brains they would tie any blue dog Democrat to him in the next election.

  • dld1717

    For 6 long years I think not

  • Erick

    Tying Democrats to Ted Kennedy and Nancy Pelosi, etc.

  • dld1717

    95% Coleman ahead by less then 1500

  • JakePrime

    I thought it was his best speech of the campaign. McCain’s disappointed, but I’m sure he saw it coming in the final weeks as did most of us. He’s probably just glad to be done with the whole thing.

  • cookcountyconservative

    Does anyone know if we’ll come out of this at least with some shred of dignity and not have suffer Al Franken in Senate.

    A leftist radical POTUS who say’s he will unite the country (tbd) I suppose we can deal with – but Stuart Smally in the Senate is too much to take!

  • dld1717

    66% in

    Stevens at 48.3

    Begich 46.5%

    3,000 vote difference (he is running behind Young who has over 51%)

  • dld1717

    I think Chambliss may be in a runoff he is at 50.3% of vote with 98% in folks

  • dld1717

    96%

    Frankin ahead with 1,000 votes (this night can’t get worse)

  • generalgrant

    It’s up 53% to 46% w/ 51% precincts reporting. The No on Prop 8 campaign has been feeling the blues all night and the Yes on 8 campaign HQ just declared victory after “running the numbers.”

    A silver lining on an otherwise awful day.

  • NightTwister

    And they don’t care which sleazeball they get it from.

  • exitsfunnel

    Smalley’s up by 1200 votes with 96% in. Apparently the 4% not reporting is all from Duluth which is heavy democratic country. Ugh.

    -exits

  • JoeG

    I first started noticing this in my own state.

    Oregon is 100% counted according to our SOS website. 983K ballots were cast. In 2000, 1.56 million were cast. In 2004, 1.82 million were cast.

    Obama got 586K votes. Kerry got 943K votes and GWB got 866K votes in 2004.

    Republicans stayed home folks

    In particular, it appears urban/suburban Republicans stayed home

    Looking at some of the swings states at a quick glance shows the same thing.

  • moijea

    Murtha got re-elected too.

    I agree, it can’t get any worse.

  • JoeG

    Stevens is done, but if you vote him in, you’ll get a re-vote because Stevens will have to resign when he goes to jail.

    That’s how I’d vote.

  • ironchapman

    I wish I could take tomorrow (well, today, now, actually) off.

    Howvever, I am now going to have to sit through an hour and 15 minutes of my Leftist Political Geography professor gloating about Obama’s win.

  • generalgrant

    52% yes to 48% no w/ 59% reporting. bit of a typo above.

  • JoeG

    to your comment, but the thread in general

  • mcc410x

    if mccain had spent the campaign talking like that, things might have been different (why do people lose themselves? no idea).

    it’s not a war, it’s a country.

    conservatives used to fight to keep the gov’t out of our lives. it’s time to return to that.

  • Illinicon

    It re-elects a guy who called them all racist rednecks, plus given the margin Barry won by there I imagine he held on to the region after calling them all bitter gun clingling religious fundamentalist. That right there is the difference in the two parties, our base has standards, we stayed home because McCain would not meet them, and Obama’s run out in droves for him after he disapperanges them.

  • Tamblin

    why would you assume those comments were about you?

  • dld1717

    Coleman down 4,000 votes with only Oberstar district remaining

  • Lwyrett

    ‘cuz I am NOT recognizing MSM at all ever again.

  • JLenardDetroit

    as he demonstrates the insanity of the Democrat Party and the mindless policy of Progressives.

  • cp4three2

    with 99% reporting.

  • shawng

    But Coleman still leads.

  • DRP

    There are some significant flaws to hoping that the charicature gets re-elected, like the part where he may stay in office for a long time.

    Like, oh, Stevens.

  • DRP

    Would they get a revote in Alaska, or would the governor get to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder (all of, really) his term assuming he resigns? I’m not familiar with the law there.

  • BigGator5

    Can you guys please get rid of that bloody map that is currently on the font page? It’s depressing as hell.

  • hunter

    Only choose leaders who can aggressively and effectively communicate.
    Second Rule:
    Never give up leading. We have seen what happens when that happens over the last three years.
    Third Rule:
    The press and media are owned by the democrats and will not love you. Ever.
    Fourth rule:
    Pull no punches.

  • sassygirl

    Thanks Erick, for this post. I couldn’t sleep, wondering how we could get it so wrong when our principles are correct. Here in Georgia the long fight back begins immediately, as it’s looking like Chambliss in a run-off. My guess is that alot of conservatives were angry with him after that gang of 10 crappola he pulled last summer. I know I was, but I voted for him anyway because we need all the seats we can get, and he is a better man than his extremely liberal opponent.

    Between the game in Jacksonville last Saturday and the wipe-out in this election, most Georgians are feeling a whole lotta pain today. Add to that the fear that we may be the next North Carolina, and well…it’s all pretty painful. The only choice however, is to fight. Which I will be doing as soon as I get out of the hospital.

  • virginiaDaring

    Hey redstate! Just my 2 cents in the form of a confession. I infiltrated your site a long time ago precisely so that I could come kick you in the teeth when you were down. Kick you in the teeth for your hate-mongering, your magical thinking, your narrow, negative view of history and most of all your stubborn refusal to listen to reason. In short, we hate each other. I loathe conservativism, I’m an atheist, and I think we should be socialist to be ethical.

    But I was inspired by my new President Obama to be better than that (plus I don’t want to be like McCain’s concession speech crowd). We ARE all in it together. I believe Obama’s policies will everyone in this country, blue and red alike. I don’t want Republicans to suffer outside the political arena.

    To a certain extent, too, take solace in the slow but certain movement of the political pendulum. There really wasn’t too much you could’ve done, save come up with a leader who could lead. My time is here. Our time is here. Join me moving forward, or stay where you are.

    Ban away, I don’t really care anymore.

  • kyle8

    Well guess what atheist. You are not going to see much atheism in the near future. No indeed, you will see a lot of socialism. The kind of stupid socialism that will drive a weak economy into the ground,

    Lots of layoffs and breadlines, but I guess that is just being ethical.

    But the atheism part, boy are you going to be disappointed. The Obamas and their tribe are just filled with evangelistic zeal, Sure it is a social gospel, and a cult of personality. But it is a religion.

    By the way, because I am a Christian, I DO NOT HATE YOU. You are my fellow American, and although you are full of hate, cynicism, and silly notions, I don’t hate you, and I will pray for you.

    God Bless you.

  • SunDogII

    at stealing elections, a 500 vote lead will probably mean a Frankin senatorial seat.

  • virginiaDaring

    If it makes you feel better to pray, go for it. DOesn’t affect me one way or the other. And I’m totally excited about your probably wrong prediction of more socialism, but i feel so darn good.

  • virginiaDaring

    See you on the breadline. So happy you’ll have a safety net, too.

  • SG_Lominac

    Better check that popular vote victory total again. Considering a perfect storm of bad events, bad policies (the liberal ones), unpopular President, bland candidate, fawning media etc etc, it wasn’t that impressive. We’ll be back.

  • virginiaDaring

    Back closer to the middle, and a little bit purpler. Yay!

  • pubbing

    Well there are two things that give me hope that the American people haven’t compleately thrown out their traditional roots.

    1. It looks like the California ban on gay marriage is going to pull through.

    2. Al Franken lost.

  • kyle8

    cheers

  • antisocial

    There is nothing that’s going to happen which will be good for you and not good for the rest of us. Likewise there is nothing that’s going to happen which will be bad for you and good for the rest of us. Just hope he does not do irreversible harm to the mightiest, freest and wealthiest nation on earth. I can bet you anything you don’t know anything about the new President Elect.

    I personally can’t wait to see fairness doctrine in play. Also I really dread the unionization. I pray to god our military remains strong.

    Like you everybody can use that 500 or 1000 dollar check :-) Just that it won’t last even a week.

  • pa_scientist

    Why have you been lurking redstate for two years? Is it perhaps because the substance and commentary here greatly exceeds that of DailyKos, etc?

    I am not a Republican, but I have read this site almost every day for four years. Why? Because it isn’t filled with one-line “zinger” posts. People take the time to justify what they say. Redstate has given me a deep insight into the conservative movement, and while I disagree with much of it, I am still grateful for the opportunity to listen in.

    So don’t gloat virginiaDaring. You accomplish nothing except further tarnishing the reputation of centrists and liberals. Last night was not a liberal mandate. It was simply a Democratic win. The Republican party will go back to the drawing board, but it will be back. And failing to acknowledge that half of this nation is right of center will be the surest recipe for undoing the wins of 2006 and 2008.

  • KeepOhioRed

    Live to fight another day.

  • virginiaDaring

    I’ve been lurking only to keep abreast of everyone’s opinion, even I if disagree with a lot of it – you and Kos are the flip side of the same coin. And I’m quite cognizant of this not being an absolute mandate, but I am pleased that at least no one stole the election through Supreme Court politics, jiggered chads, or disenfranchisement.

    Also it’s kind of fun to out yourself. Oh, by the way, I’m pretty gay, too! Pity about California, but we’ll get the homohookup soon!

  • scottbomb

    …proven we are nation that has moved beyond the need for quotas and affirmative action

    Sure, no law mandated we make him president just because he’s black, but I don’t think he would have won were he white. Anyone who thinks race had nothing to do with it is only fooling themselves. Last night, the pundits on Fox News were talking about how the exit polling showed the majority of voters in some states did NOT think Obama was most qualified to be president, but they voted for him anyway. His minions wanted to “make history”. If that isn’t affirmative action in practice then I’m at a loss for how else to describe such behavior.

  • JoeG

    The seat stays vacant until another election.

  • virginiaDaring

    n/t

  • kyle8

    consider all the ramifications of Das Kapital while you are in the food stamp line.

    BTW you “outed” yourself in another way: since there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE, that the 2000 election was stolen, even according to several left wing newspapers who did in depth investigations (including the NY Times). And since what the Supreme Court did is actually stop the Florida Court from trying to steal the election.

    You have outed yourself as a dolt. No need to try and lecture us on your intellectual superiority anymore we know the truth now.

  • Moe_Lane

    Although commenting six or seven times after that statement would suggest that you care a bit.

  • CTmom

    Was it really hard to do?

  • Christianne

    Virginia Darling,

    You really sound like an unhappy and angry person. Since it was your candidate that won, I am not sure why you are so angry and unhappy. It is really okay with me if you have differing views on what America should be about, that is what our forefathers would have wanted. Thank you for your courage of conviction to let us know how you feel. You might get further if you used a little less name calling and hate speech. And I am sure if we respond in a kind way to you, we might hear you better as well. I know that I could learn from many of your views if I could hear them more clearly. I hope you continue to be a part of this site, I think there will be much to discuss in the coming years, perhaps a little more civility and less gloating would get you farther with us.

  • CTmom

    Half of Republican’s problems are people posing as conservatives who act un-conservatively in office (i.e. George W., and lots of the Republican Congressmen who got power hungry in office) and the other half is not getting good picks in the primary. We need to start now looking around and finding someone who will be good in 2012. Mitt Romney shouldn’t get it because of the Seniority thing that Republicans do. Sarah Palin shouldn’t get it because we feel she was treated poorly this time around. As much as I like Mitt Romney– he just doesn’t connect w/ people too well and Sarah Palin is a populist and, frankly, in the debate there were lots of things that she just didn’t “get” well enough to make good points about. The internet has more power these days. We can start thinking about this early this time and recruit good choices (Bobby Jindal comes to mind.)

    Also work at the state level to get good Congressional candidates and closer to ’10 help the Republicans have a good national message that connects with people.

    We have to rebuild this party from the grassroots. The leadership that we have had sure isn’t doing anything for us!

  • Jaded

    no longer are looking towards in the Republican Party….why shouldn’t someone say how they think without having to be PC about it? The bottom line is the leftards NEVER give a second thought to how they fight and the nastiness they project and if we believe in something NEITHER should we.

    Obama is STRICTLY and Affirmative Action candidate and really I am thrilled that the RACE HUSTLERS lost their jobs last night.

    If obama had been white he would not even have been in the primary….it is as simple as that!

  • DaBoogieMan

    No thanks.

  • FrequencyModulation

    We prove ourselves citizens of a democracy
    not by our winning of elections
    but by our agreeing to lose elections.
    — Lewis H. Lapham

    Still proud; still American.

  • Jaded

    and WOW has pathetic is your life that you hung around this site for a couple of years to be a TROLL…I would feel sorry for you BUT I suspect those around you are already doing that…what a pathetic little life and that about sums up the pathetic people who voted for Obama.

    It will be fun to watch him tell his supporters ummm uhhhh how I ummm uhh can’t do what I ummm uhhh promised….hehehe! This is going to be a great and hilarious next couple of years!

  • Christianne

    I wasn’t aware that being civil to one another was new or PC. I am perfectly willing to say what I mean, and listen to what others have to say. All I am saying is that if we can’t at least exchange our ideas and views in a calm and clear manner we will never understand each other and we will be lost in hate and anger. You don’t have to agree and likely will not, but at least we can try to speak with respect for one another as human beings.

  • Good_Captain

    I second!

  • terilyn

    n/t

  • SeanH90050

    Not surprisingly, I was not invited to my colleague’s “explanation” of what happened yesterday. I can hear the laughter from my office. Every one of them brainwash the students, and do not allow them to think for themselves in class. These kids have no fear of socialism’s spectre, and think that government can solve their problems so they don’t have to.

    The conservative movement will need a strong grass roots effort to not only battle the ACORN and MoveOn’s of the world, but the stupidity, and sponsored/permitted laziness that is prevalent in today’s youth culture.