Going into election night, Hillary Clinton’s supporters and Donald Trump’s critics were preparing variations of a “See, I told you so” message. Hardly anyone, including some in the Trump campaign, anticipated quite what happened next. Rather than losing decisively, Trump defeated Clinton decisively. This is a time for reflection and humility, particularly for those of us who predicted or anticipated a different outcome.
A few observations about a stunning result:
The Republican Party has a moral obligation — and an historic opportunity — to fix the problems that gave rise to Trump. For the past three decades working Americans have felt increasingly hopeless in the face of America’s true income inequality problem: the growing gap between stagnant wages and rising costs of living. Republicans led by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) have already developed an agenda called “A Better Way” that can practically fix these challenges.
No one thought Republicans would be handed a trifecta on election night — control of the presidency, the Senate and the House. Yet, that is what has happened. Republicans must now act.
The deep irony in this election, which was framed as an uprising against “the elites” or “the establishment,” is that it featured “We the People” using the system our Founders designed to reform the system. The election was a repudiation of conventional wisdom using the tools of constitutional governance. Nothing was rigged. It was the people using the power that was already at their disposal to shape their own destiny.
Coming together doesn’t mean Republicans have to be silent about their president’s flaws. National populist rhetoric, and degrading comments toward women and the disabled, should be fearlessly confronted and rebuked regardless of who makes such comments. Conservatives fearlessly, and sometimes relentlessly, criticized President Bush. They should do the same with President Trump. Critiquing with the right attitude will make him more effective.
Republicans have embraced the need to do soul-searching. Democrats need to do the same. The economic disaster that has befallen rural and urban communities is the result of nearly 40 years of failed center-left economic policies. If this was a rejection election, Democrats need to think carefully about the ideas and policies that were rejected. And, no, FBI director James Comey wasn’t the author of those failed policies. This wasn’t Comey’s fault. It was Clinton’s fault.
As shocking as Trump’s victory was, Republicans can’t necessarily build a party on a shrinking constituency. Yes, Trump deserves praise for winning the rust belt but Republicans need to deliver real results for those voters while bringing new voters into the party.
Americans just witnessed one of the most surprising elections in our history. President-elect Trump and congressional Republicans now have a responsibility to be wise stewards of victory and work with all sides to forge principled compromises that solve problems.
John Hart is the Editor-in-Chief of Opportunity Lives. You can follow him on Twitter @johnhart333.
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