I plan on avoiding these things while sorting through the rubble of yesterday's electoral disaster. As the depth of it all was gleefully covered last night by the Democrat cheerleaders in the old media, I was staring at a big screen TV on the beautiful outside patio at "Red" restaurant in the Pacific Palms resort in Industry. A huge fire pit was roaring and waterfalls and pools were right next to it. Great setting for a good sulk.

L.A. County Republican Chairman Linda Boyd had put on her usual excellent party for a couple hundred subdued GOP faithful. A very nice touch in my humble opinion was asking my buddy Shawn Steel to provide a hundred cigars for the party. Shawn agreed quickly, apparently relieved she didn't ask him for money (again). He considered too late what those cigars would cost at the fancy cigar store he goes to in Palos Verdes. Pretty clever, my wife.....

So we are puffing away on really great Padrons and Shawn is going on and on in that annoyingly optimistic way he has. "Great opportunity for a comeback" he burbles as we watch seat after Republican seat fall to the bad guys. I mumble something about Armaggedon as he expounds about what a great year we're going to have in 2010. As the new Republican National Committeeman from California, Shawn is already deep in plans to improve and reshape the operations of the RNC. A tall order, I think gloomily. 

I try to really enjoy wallowing in my misery but he continues relentlessly, finding silver linings here and there and hope for future Republican control of the legislature in the passage of Prop 11. Gee, that guy can sure ruin a perfctly good disaster.

Here we are with the country crumbling all around us and massive tax ncreases, really awful judicial appointments, appeasement in foreign affairs and increased government control over every area of our lives just over the horizon and Shawn sees opportunity and a chance for the Republican Party to reclaim its limited government/ lower taxes/ more freedom soul. How irritating. 

Today, it's a beautiful morning in Southern California with the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing. The long political winter is still coming, but so is the promise of spring. No matter what happens, God is still in control and hope springs eternal.

I guess Shawn was right.

I feel better.