The best way I know to respond to an unusually high number of messages regarding the election and where we go from here is to put my thoughts in a GHC commentary.

Let me start out by saying my opinion is no better than yours, and I am no paragon of political wisdom. Fact is, the more I was involved in politics at the national and state level, the more I found I had much to learn.

That is true of the current handlers in both major political parties as they both took some pretty severe blows at various aspects of the campaign.

As I write, the Republicans nationally lived up to their reputation as the stupid party, losing a majority of the governorships which they have held for some time, losing the House, and the Senate.

President George Bush and his misguided cadre made their bed, now they must lay in it. The vision of the new Democratic leadership in the capitol is frightening. Will we see the spineless Mr. Bush finally locate a veto pen?

The GOP had to work hard doing stupid things to deserve such a swamping. We have warned of it numerous times on several issues during the past. With Karl Rove and Ken Mehlman at the political helm of the party, the solid red states are beginning to turn to a bluish tint.

Since the bulk of the strength of the red states is Southern, we now see the electorate finally realizing the Rove-Mehlman act is anti-Southern, and cracks are developing around the seams.

But then you might say, "look at what the GOP did in Georgia." I see it differently.

I look at what the Democrats haven't done in Georgia. They offered but little choice as they remain totally controlled by an element so out of touch that regularly proposes programs repugnant to the rest of Georgia.

Despite only about 35% for their gubernatorial candidate, they did keep three major statewide offices, while giving up two more of the most import, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State.

At 60%, Sonny Perdue was pretty well given permission to continue his road to riches through some highly questionable ethics. Some voters seem to delight in electing people with ethical questions. Others seem to have had so little faith in the Georgia Democrats, they would have voted for any alternative, and that may be what they got.

The paradox is, while the national Democrats soared, the Georgia Democrats soured. The question now begs, will the national Democrat resurgence affect the Georgia Democrats? Likely not, unless there is a major shift of power within the internal workings of the state party.

I believe there is hope of saving the Georgia Democrats before they head over the cliff. To do so, there will have to be major shifts from the various self-serving interest groups who have no positive statewide goals. A clue, get out your history books and learn of the great Democratic party under the principles of Jefferson, Madison and Jackson.

On second thought they may not find the history before 1880 since they have been so busy removing it from public view.

Where does this leave the average Georgian who loves the state, the culture, the heritage? Sadly, not as good as before the elections, and that wasn't good. That doesn't mean there is no hope, nor should the goals be forsaken.

It does mean a wholly new approach, with a much broader brush to many new issues that can be incrementally developed. Sort of a stair step idea.

It does mean new thinking. Many who have led in the past have had their hearts in it, but outside of the almost successful Fair Vote GHC attained in 2004 in the state Senate, the scorecard does not look good. With new thinking we need new goals. Much can be accomplished beyond the flag. We're missing opportunities every legislative session.

There are important events that we will not be derailed from, hell or high water. This includes the national and state observance of the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States. Georgia Heritage community input for this project is imperative.

It is our intention at GHC to put together some new initiatives that can, little by little, restore the influence and respect of the Heritage Community in Georgia.

To do this we must develop local county and district membership that can be vocal on the local level on a non partisan basis.

We have other plans we will be discussing with you as they develop.

Finally, for the past several years GHC has regularly furnished volunteers to lobby the legislature. We will be back in 2007 and despite the negative outlook of the elections, we still have friends on both sides of the aisle who were re-elected. If other heritage groups wish to join us, we welcome them. If not, as we have in the past, we'll continue to pursue our objectives and our record is not too bad.

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as chairman of the Georgia Heritage Council. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.

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