Mornings after can be painful, especially today as we look at the local election results in the cold hard light of day. But even given the one-sided results, there are definitely points of light amid the gloom.

First of all, the GOP fielded a strong slate of candidates, generating tightly- contested races in just about every election. Landslide victories were few and far between. It is easy to forget that only a few years ago, most incumbents ran happily un-opposed. Those days are gone. The GOP is back as a factor to be reckoned with in Massachusetts. Would it have been better to win some of those races? You bet. But don't think for a minute that we won't be back, applying our new-found and well-earned knowledge to future elections.

Also, Don't gloss over the importance of the Republican gains on the national level. We now will have a majority in the House, and a stronger position in the Senate. most political commentators are convinced that this election was a profound repudiation of Obama's socialistic agenda, and we have the antidote. The vision of Nancy Pelosi moving out of the Speaker's chair has to bring a smile to even the most disappointed among us.

Like the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, preparation for next year's event starts the very next morning. Stay the course. Redouble the effort. Stick to your principles. We will be back.