(National Federation of Republican Women) Nov 6, 2008
Let's remember to celebrate these bright spots:
◼ Despite the outcome of the presidential race, Gov. Sarah Palin has emerged as a star in the Republican Party. Palin made history as the Party's first female vice presidential candidate.
With a direct approach and dynamic personality, she was a powerful force on the campaign trail. Sarah, as she is often affectionately called, is energetic, enthusiastic, intelligent, courageous, a strong leader who still is "one of us." I truly believe we haven't seen the last of this amazing Republican woman on the national stage.
◼ During the final weeks of the campaign, Senate Democrats began playing up the possibility of achieving a filibuster-proof 60 seats. Thankfully, it doesn't look like this will materialize. The Democrats needed nine additional seats to get to that magic number. So far, they have added five seats, but will need to sweep the remaining four undecided races in Alaska, Georgia, Minnesota and Oregon - a very unlikely scenario. If the filibuster is preserved, our Republican senators are going to play a critical role in the upcoming legislative session, and they will need all of the support we can give them, so be prepared for action.
◼ Two Republicans are newly-elected to the U.S. Senate. Former Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns has won the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), while Idaho Lt. Gov. James Risch has won the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID).
◼ Although results are still being tabulated, so far, four state legislative chambers have switched from Democrat to Republican. They are the Tennessee House and the Tennessee Senate (the first time since Reconstruction that Republicans have controlled both legislative chambers), the Oklahoma Senate (the first time in state history), and the Montana Senate.
◼ All incumbent Republican governors running for reelection won their races. They are: Mitch Daniels of Indiana, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Jon Huntsman Jr. of Utah, and Jim Douglas of Vermont. Also, Republicans picked up the governorship in Puerto Rico for the first time since 1969, with Luis Fortuño winning in a landslide election.
◼ How did Republican women candidates fare? In Kansas, state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins unseated Democrat incumbent Nancy Boyda in the second congressional district race. In Oklahoma, Dana Murphy soundly defeated Democrat incumbent Jim Roth in the Corporation Commission race. In Wyoming, former state Treasurer Cynthia Lummis won the at-large congressional seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY). All three are members of the NFRW.
While I hesitate to end on a sad note, I would be remiss if I didn't recognize three outstanding Republican women leaders who unfortunately lost their bids for reelection: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) and U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA). We are grateful for their distinguished service to our nation, and wish them all the best.
Thank you again for everything you have done to help our Republican candidates and for making the National Federation of Republican Women an organization committed to excellence and accomplishment. I am so proud of each one of you!
