And now Republicans - what you need to learn from Scott Brown

Reality check - Scott Brown is pretty liberal. In the past he has voted for / in favor of:

1 - Universal Health Care

2 - Abortion rights

3 - Against an marriage amendment

But that shouldn't matter.  Scott Brown represents Massachusetts, which is about the bluest state in the Union. And while people forget this, representatives are supposed to support their constituencies. In fact, what Mitt Romney did so well in Mass. (but forgot when he ran for office) is that most Americans are looking for legislators that represent most Americans, not the 10% on either end of the spectrum.  At the moment the Republicans are eager to seize the moment (as they should) and declare that the election shows America is against the Democrats and health care, and taxes, and the ruining of families, and unions, and gay marriage, and environmentalists, and... wait.  Is that what is really happening here?  NO.  What Republicans and Democrats forget, is that relatively few people in the country agree with their stupid self-serving platforms.  There is a solid 20% Republican contingent and a 30% Democrat contingent that will vote with their party regardless - but the rest of the country (that is 50% for any brilliant/rich person out there bold enough to start a new party that matters) actually just wants things to get done.  These independents will vote / hold accountable whichever party can make it happen.  Last year it was clear that the Republicans were massive failures: spending was up, ZERO progress was made on health insurance reform (btw - the right answer is not to do nothing), we are stuck in 2 wars that increasingly have little relevance to us (and certainly not the war on terror as they'd have you think), a hemorrhaging of jobs, Iran/North Korea with nuclear capabilities, and the list goes on.  Guess what?  Democrats have spent most of their effort chasing silly initiatives like Card Check for Unions, subsidies for anyone and everyone (like the repubs did.), and a healthcare program that isn't common sense so much as a template for a new world order.  Sooo... do you think they will do well next election?

Now Republicans, (or the Independent party that I keep wishing would show up), and Democrats here is what you need to do.  Represent your constituents.  The reality of this is that what they care about is jobs, energy policy, healthcare, and foreign policy.  Most people don't really care that much about abortion, gay marriage, immigration, or other pet issues.  These are important to be sure - but they consume 75% of the discussion/debate/rancor on the hill while the things that need to get done for day-to-day prosperity and success are tossed to the side over ideological battles.  I am tired of it.  Let states do their thing (as the Constitution provided!) and let the national lawmakers take care of running the country!

Republicans, if you ever want to win again, learn from McDonnell, Brown, and Christie.  3 Republicans that won by focusing on the real issues and not the ideological quagmires.

Poor Scott Brown.  Today the hero, tomorrow the hated target of Palin/Limbaugh/Hannity/Beck.