HISTORY WILL TELL

It's a new day in America.

Barack Obama, a young, eloquent, mixed race, ultra-Liberal socialist is the 44th President-elect of the United States.

Endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, the most influential woman and African-American voice in America, sheltered and shielded by an unabashedly leftist press and buoyed by a Bush Presidency that's been at best a disappointment, Obama rode America's wave of displeasure to what even 18 months ago seemed unlikely and unbelievable.

Look at history and American politics is cyclical. Since 1980, Republicans have been in the White House for 20 of 28 years. But now, at least for the next 4 years, that will change. Tonight, ABC News had an interview with Oprah asking her for her observations on the historic night and her response, "I haven't seen our country this united since 9/11." Not surprisingly, many of the press had similar sentiments.

The truth is, Obama carried about 52% of the vote. Reagan 1984 was a mandate. With all respect, Senator Obama won a split-decision.

Indeed, our country remains split this morning. By income. By ideology. By what we believe about the man our country just elected as its next President. Just a day ago, a USA Today/Gallup poll had 48% of those polled saying they didn't think Obama was qualified to be President. But today, that doesn't matter.

This morning, I still disagree with much of what Barack Obama has promised for America. I do not agree with many of his ideas or how he proposes to achieve them. I'm sad and disappointed that Senator McCain is not our next President. But like our country, I must find a way through those feelings. I too want change. I too want to be hopeful. I too want answers to how our generation will reconstitute the America we all want to pass down to our children.

We live in the most extraordinary country in the history of civilization. A country that has reinvented itself a number of times, when in our greatest hour of need, we found the best in our citizenry, the best of ourselves. This is clearly a time when we must do that again.

History well tell if President Obama is the socialist many of us fear. If he will indeed, redistribute the country's wealth as promised. Or reset the Supreme Court. Or raise taxes on more than those earning over $250,000 a year. For at least the next two years, he will be flanked by the protection of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and a largely Democratic Congress with the only saving grace the fact that the Republicans held on to more than 40 seats in the Senate.

For those of us who believe in a conservative imperative for America, the foreseeable future will be an uphill battle. But a battle clearly worth fighting.

Today, I respect the will of the American people. I recognize the historic step our country has taken by electing an African-American to be Chief Executive of the United States. I am moved by the tears shed by Jesse Jackson and John Lewis knowing what this election represents for them and their lives work. And I hope for God's blessing on our very troubled nation. Today is a day of national celebration. But tomorrow is another story.

Tomorrow, the Republican Party and the guardians of conservative values must begin finding a way to reconnect with America. We have to get younger, smarter, more inclusive and learn to solve problems rather than point fingers. We must find a way to make the values that built this country relevant and resonant again. Not just to Republicans, but to those who found in Senator Obama the connection, the promise and the validation of a better country and a better life.

I hope for common ground. I hope for bridges we can build together. I hope for opportunities to reestablish America's greatness side by side. Obama has been characterized as a transformational figure. As the great uniter. I pray that will be the case.

History will tell.