Tuesday marked an historic occasion in American history with the first African-American being elected to our nation's highest office.  While no doubt a historic and monumental occasion for the simple fact of who America elected, let's look to see how we got to where we did.

Many on the left will claim Tuesday's election of both Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and an expanded Democratic majority in both the House and Senate are the result of American's being fed up with Republicans and a repudiation of conservative polices-an American political philosophy shift to the left if you will.   

Only one part is right.  Tuesday's election was a referendum of the way Republicans have run Washington the past eight years not because of any change or dramatic shift in the political hearts and souls of Americans.  Simply put, we screwed up and the voters let us have it. 

Obama didn't win by highlighting his extreme liberal views but instead highlighted populist issues and ran with them.  Voters wanted change this election not in any extreme policy adjustments but rather that of a much more simple change-take the "R" behind the President's name and replace it with a "D."  In 2008, 34 percent of Americans declared themselves conservative (the same as in 2004), 45 percent described themselves as moderate (up one from 04) and 21 percent said they were politically liberal (down one from 04).  Looking at these numbers and any argument regarding the American public thirsting for liberal policies simply doesn't hold water.  America remains a center-right country. 

As evident by the facts and statistics this election was not so much the empowerment of Obama but rather the rejection of the Republican Party for not acting as Republicans.   

We stand for lower taxes and less spending, personal freedom when it comes to health care and social security, a strong national defense and the empowerment of hard working Americans because who is the government to come in and tell us how to run our lives and make our personal decisions?   

So, where do we go from here?  There are 5 things that the GOP must do to regain our voice and be brought back into power by the same group who threw us out-the American people.   

First, we need to get back to the basics.  I just touched on them.  Too many Republicans strayed from our core beliefs and started acting like Democrats.  We let spending get out of control and some abused their positions of power.  If we want the American people to take us seriously and allow us to regain their confidence then we simply cannot allow either of these two things to ever happen again.

Second, we need to be the party of solutions.  Instead of yelling at the Democrats about how bad they are, we need to come up with workable solutions for real problems like healthcare, the economy, the environment, education and immigration.

Third, develop a 50 state strategy.  DNC Chairman Howard Dean was ridiculed by members of both parties when he implemented his 50 state strategy, meaning the DNC would invest time, money and resources in every state.  People said he was nuts for going to places like North Carolina and Indiana and spending money.  That money should only go to places like Ohio and Michigan.  Well, look who's laughing now.  The Republican Party is virtually extinct in the Northeast and Coastal West and we need serious re-developing and branding in the industrial Mid West and Mountain West if we don't want to become extinct there as well.  We must cater our message to specific regions of the country as well.  One message does not fit at all and the citizens of Alabama do not have the exact same concerns as the citizens of Oregon.       

Fourth, invest in technology and youth development.  We cannot let the Democrats continue with their domination of the new media.  They raised millions upon millions of dollars through the most inexpensive and accessible way-the internet.  The internet also expanded their reach into the minds of young Americans (although the youth vote increased only 1 percent from the previous three Presidential elections).  Obama made his campaign cool and fun and the youth of America responded with serious interest.  We need to use these newly acquired tools to train and develop young members of our party who will be the candidates of tomorrow. 

Finally, number five is to GOP-Grow Our Party.  We need to reach out to different groups of Americans and show them why the GOP most reflects their beliefs and how our ideas will better their lives.  Even traditional GOP states like Texas are at risk if we don't reach out to Hispanics and far too long have both the Republicans and Democrats conceded African-Americans voters as solidly blue.  Why can't we compete for their vote and why should the Democratic Party take it for granted?  No one party should have a monopoly on any one voting group.  The message and philosophy of the GOP is for all Americans and for too long we have let the Democrats tell the nation otherwise.   

This election wasn't a watershed moment in history for any other reason than we have finally broken the final barrier for African Americans.  Voters simply wanted change from the current and Obama offered just that.  Four years is more than a lifetime in politics and Americans will come to see the results of their decision, either good or bad.  In the mean time here's to President-Elect Obama in the hope he can do a great job on behalf of all Americans.

Chris Berry Chairman berrycj@muohio.edu Miami University College Republicans