I told you so

During the election campaign, I shocked some people by suggesting a Barack Obama presidency would not be that much different than a John McCain presidency.

That was an effort on my part to diminish in any way the potential horror of an Obama White House. The point was McCain offered no alternative worth choosing.

Two days into the Obama administration, I wonder if Obama’s excited minions have figured out nothing has changed.

Gitmo isn’t closed.

The war in Iraq continues.

Robert Gates is still secretary of defense.

A woman who supported the war in Iraq and opposed Obama is secretary of state.

Remember what the primary issue separating Obama and McCain was? It was the nature of the war and how it would be waged in the future. Yet, as I pointed out in 2008, Obama, despite his promises, was never going to make any radical breaks with the past conduct of the war.

After all, there was little disagreement between Obama and McCain on the economy. Both were quick to embrace bailouts as the solution to the crisis.

There was no disagreement on the fantasy of global warming. Both said they believed we are on the verge of a man-made cataclysm, with the only answer being the forcible reduction of our individual and collective carbon footprints.

There was no disagreement on illegal immigration and border policy. Both candidates promoted amnesty programs and opposed building fences on the border with Mexico.

Nevertheless, Obama voters really thought they were getting change.

That was still clear throughout the inauguration ceremonies – so much excitement. Hollywood celebrities tripped over each other offering pledges of allegiance to serve Obama in any way possible. Millions braved the frigid temperatures of Washington, D.C., to stand shoulder to shoulder in the Mall and watch history unfold.

But I suspect those most hopeful about the heralded changes of the Obama years are going to be among the most disappointed over the next four years.

Even while some of his partisans prepare to change the constitutional barriers to serving more than two terms in office, reality is rearing its ugly head.

Since my predictions about Obama have proven true thus far, let me do a little more forecasting.

This man does not have any answers for the deep problems besetting this country. That will become ever more apparent over the next two years. It will be critical for those who understand what made America great – personal responsibility, devotion to God, limited government – to remain true to those principles. In two short years, there will be another opportunity to rest the national priorities in a mid-term election. Since that is not enough time to build a viable third party, the only chance for a measure of political redemption lies with a reconstituted Republican Party committed to republican ideals.

We know Obama’s plans will not succeed – at least not in the sense of expanding prosperity and liberty.

That leaves only one alternative – distinguishing ourselves and our pro-liberty, pro-God, pro-prosperity agenda from the policies of Obama and the Democratic Congress.

Since the failure of socialism is assured, we need to be ready to pick up the pieces when the opportunity avails itself in 2010 and 2012. There should be no compromising between now and then. It’s time to seek out bold new leadership of vision and principle – leadership that can articulate what works and why.

I’m not predicting that Republicans will win in 2010 and 2012. But I am predicting the opportunity is there for a major political reorganization – as big as the one that began in 1980.

This is the silver lining of the Obama victory.

It won’t just happen. But all the stars are in proper alignment. It’s just going to take some strategic thinking and planning.

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