182 Responses to:
A NEW DAY, A FRESH START

# 1. 11/5/08 1:46 AM by DR (betty) - Phoenix, AZ
I have to smile at your column. You are handling this like a conservative.

Unlike the rantings and wailing of the left for the last 8 years.

My only fear is that the physiologists will be put out of a job. No conservative will run to them to "talk" about the election. heck, not for a week much less 8 years.

What will happen? Conservatives will shrug their shoulders and get back to work (so jobs can be provided amnd wealth made.

What I still wonder is about is how the media got behind McCain in the primaries and he came from nowhere to win. Then they dumped him and hung him out to dry. An excellent political strategy if it indeed was one.

# 2. 11/5/08 1:52 AM by Jack - Utah
Pure class, Bob.

# 3. 11/5/08 1:56 AM by Chad - Owego, NY
I agree with the overall message...

...but now you're blaming Bush's failures on his detractors?

Straight out of Rove's playbook right there, Bob.

Editor's Note: the vilification of bush is not a bush failure

# 4. 11/5/08 2:33 AM
I respect your magnanimity but I don't share it. I'm pissed at eight years of daily barbs being directed at George W. Bush.

I intend on being Barry's harshest critic - primarily to the consternation of his partisans.

Also: If McCain had been elected, not only would the country have experienced scattered unrest and disobedience, but the press would have been relentless in their criticism of him. There's no way he would have enjoyed anything approaching a normal presidency.

We were over a barrel from the get-go. The fourth estate has quite taken over the country.

# 5. 11/5/08 3:12 AM
One more thing: Even though I greatly fear what the unholy alliance of a liberal Congress and a liberal White House will do to our country, I'm less offended by the person of Barack Obama than I was Albert Arnold Gore, Jr.

Thank goodness we didn't have to endure four years of that pseudo-intellectual cheeser!

# 6. 11/5/08 3:53 AM by carole - greenwood
He was not my choice either but I only hope he really means all that he said and that the constitution be upheld. Other than that all I can say is May God Bless and watch over us all....

# 7. 11/5/08 4:05 AM by Poplar Beach
I have been laying awake thinking the same things you just said here, thinking about the differences between democrats & republicans, very big, very significant differences on many issues. It is one of the major jobs of any leader to lead all of the people, understand these differences and lead with this understanding in mind, I for one will give the president the chance to do this, but you are so right, if the president adapts a my way, or the highway philosophy, with the democrat congress, or lets congressional leaders adapt this philosophy while appearing to stand back and watch, we all suffer and America is diminished as a democracy.

Barack Obama was not my choice, but he is my president and I will support him, it is now up to him and we will see if he is a uniter, or a divider, I sure hope he is a uniter!

# 8. 11/5/08 4:08 AM
Yes, President-elect Obama has a responsibility and must work to achieve unity, by reaching out to his former opponent's followers and by representing them and their interests faithfully, beginning from day 1.

But certainly so do people like yourself, who have carried on for 2 years without a comma (or any real basis) counting and spelling out how bad Mr. Obama is, how anti-American he is, how he is so stupid he can't even talk without notes. Bill Ayres, secretlymuslim, Rev Wright, communistmarxistsocialist, doesn'twearthepatriot'suniformtheflagpin, handonheartforpledgeofallegience, and so on and on. You've been so effective with your own followers, getting them to bray in lockstep your own sentiments as though they were theirs. Now it's time for you to show the example you talk about - to keep an honest open mind, to show real respect for the person who will now be your, and every American's, new president and commander-in-chief, and that if anyone disagrees with that, they themselves are unpatriotic and anti-American.

We can get past our ugly divisiveness only if we all work at it, and really put Country First. This applies not least to you, fellow countryman and talkjock Lonsberry.

Editor's Note: the basis for none of the criticisms has passed. if obama doesn't realize that, and prove himself to be something different, both he and the country suffer.

# 9. 11/5/08 4:19 AM by Kevin - South Boston, MA
The GOP has no one to blame but themselves for this debacle. This is going to be a very long four years (I hope that's all, too).

# 10. 11/5/08 4:30 AM by ex-pansy
O that old rugged cross,

so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God

left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown

# 11. 11/5/08 4:43 AM by D. Wilkes
Thank you,your response was very true

# 12. 11/5/08 4:56 AM by Patrick Davis - Bayside, NY
With all due respect Bob, f**k giving him a chance. People do not realise the damage he is going to inflict. We are in trouble.

# 13. 11/5/08 5:04 AM
No one is happier today than me.

I'd love to rub it in your face, but I think it would be better if we all really did work together to return this nation to what it was - the greatest nation on earth. Enough you against me. It's a new day and a new start. Instead of keeping the slinging going, let's work together.

Give the man the benefit of the doubt.

# 14. 11/5/08 5:11 AM by Patrick Davis - Bayside, NY
By the way, down here in NYC, police have received numerous shots fired calls. The people doing the shooting ain't McCain supporters. Is this the kind of change we can expect?

# 15. 11/5/08 5:21 AM by chuckret - Atlanta, NY
There is a saying "Managers do the right things. Leaders do things right." President-elect Obama did the right things to get him his new position as leader of the greatest country in the free world. I now hope and pray that he will now do things right as our President. When adversity strikes, I pray that he will be able to rise to the occasion without any inferences to racial or religious implications and put "We the people of the United States of America do firmly resolve ...." in the forefront of his resolutions. God bless us one and all!

# 16. 11/5/08 5:25 AM by hunter - e. bethany, ny
President-elect, Senator Obama, through his media minions, impaled governor Palin and caned Senator McCain. Watch the rise of the non-bipartisan Fairness Doctrine legislation in Congress along with the ascension of the ghost of "equal time"; keep an eye on the working man's income tax burden accompanied by the small businessman's capital gains loss; follow the cap and trade carbon debacle to determine if it is just another world tax which falls on American shoulders; see if the blood gains of our fighting men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan and the gold expenditure from our are Treasury are leveraged or abandoned; discover what color shirts will be worn by the new National Security Force and whether or not this is just another name for a well-funded affiliate of ACORN...

This winter, ask yourself why the new phrase for more taxation is "climate change", instead of global warming, and understand that can we do withou it. Where did the rest of the "named" storms, all caused by global warming, but sheared by global cooling, go in the Caribbean?

I digress. So long, President Bush, we won't have you to kick around for much longer. Welcome, President-elect Obama, the power you were taught to strive for on the South Side of Chicago, is now yours to oversee the United States of America.

In celebration, let's all stand up with our hand on our heart for the latest rendition of the National Anthem. Don't forget to salute, without disdain, the Marine stationed at the bottom of the stairs when deplaning Marine One.

# 17. 11/5/08 5:35 AM by sam
Although I didn't vote for him, he's my president too. I hope he realizes that.

# 18. 11/5/08 5:50 AM by Mark
America has spoken the better canidate won! Obama can and will do a better job then the last President. I hope it is a lesson to the GOP and all the pundits. The use of Fear does not defeat Hope. GOP got what it deserved last night for all the hate it used in the last couple of decades of hate filled politics. If you can't field a canidate that can run on the issues, tough, but leave the name calling at home. This election showed how out of touch and even the racist nature of what was once the party of Lincoln. Even last night when McCain throw in the towel, there were people yelling some nasty comments in the backround. McCain seemed to try to indicate he did not agree, but he should have done more weeks ago. Mr. McCain job should be to go out and repair the damage he done during this presidental season, Palin should be doing the same. That is the only way America will come together. Hey, in victory Obama reach out to Ms. Clinton supports more then any other candiate in pasted election, when he did not. Obama will probably do the same as President. If McCain wants to prove he is a statesmen, he needs to mend fences and assist in bring America together. It is a new day in America where poor kids of every color can dream of being President some day.

Editor's Note: this is the attitude that will get obama and the democrats the back of the hand

# 19. 11/5/08 5:52 AM by ICBM
Like going to the dentist - happy that it's over, but now waiting in anticipation for major oral surgery coming down the pike... OUCH!

# 20. 11/5/08 5:53 AM by Liberty Tom - Rochester, NY
It's a sad day. I had to console my daughter last night. She phoned home from college, upset because America is going to have its first Marxist President. I said much the same thing......give him a chance. See what he does, but hold on to your beliefs and philosophy. Privately though.....I think we're sunk.

# 21. 11/5/08 5:58 AM by S - NY
HE is NOT my president, I did NOT vote for him! When he screws this country up worse then it is now - you have yourself to blame!

# 22. 11/5/08 6:08 AM by Rick G. - Spencerport, NY
Ah, who were we kidding? There was no stopping the Obama momentum. I bet you had this column written a week ago.

Tell you what .... I'll dig around online to see if I can find you a John Deere dashiki,

# 23. 11/5/08 6:10 AM by Sheik Al-Quiam - USSA
Comrade Lonsberry,

We have the First President of the United Socialistic States of America. All is good.

On the news wire this morning I see the following title: "MLB Agents ponder beating possible tax increases".

The rich will find ways around his tax increases and all the middle class will bear the burden.

Nostradamus predicted the 3rd anit-christ as a being named "Mabus" - not too far off either Sadam or B. O'Bama. He also predicted the world would end soon after. As the next election is in 2012 and the Mayan calenday ends that year, perhaps the three are all related.

Time to go cleans thy soul.

# 24. 11/5/08 6:11 AM by Nick - Irondequoit, NY
Throughout Obama's victory speech, his face looked somber; as if he was thinking he won the job but had no clue how to do it.

# 25. 11/5/08 6:17 AM
God protect Justices Roberts, Scalia, Alito, Thomas, and Kennedy. A thin black line.

Editor's Note: amen

# 26. 11/5/08 6:22 AM by u o - rochester, ny
I think this is the kick in the teeth that the Republican party needed. The GOP needs to redefine itself. First steps:

1. Boot the religious right from dictating party platform. The "Obama is a muslim" garbage really showed how much influence the RR has. Who cares what version of God someone worships? This is the most important thing the GOP can do, as it is polarizing. You CAN be conservative politically without injecting your brand of religion into it.

2. Realize that debt is bad. You can't cut taxes without cutting spending. Ronnie thought that if you cut taxes that naturally spending would drop. Good in theory, but we are weak.

3. Get back to the principles of small government and lower govt. interference in our lives. For example, this means no dumbass bans on stem cell research, no dumbass bans on who can marry what, and no dumbass bans on what guns you can shoot.

If the Republican party can't see that it is a time to change, there will be a 3rd party soon. Right now the GOP is irrelevant and in shambles.

Tough stuff for a longtime republican to hear, I know, but it needs to happen for the party's existence.

# 27. 11/5/08 6:22 AM by John L - Scottsville
Fat chance of the democrats being civil. We will, they won't.

In the long run, it's probably best for the cause of liberty that the demoncats win. Let them reap the whirlwind that is the comuppance for the big-government boondoggles that the liberals and RINOS got us into. Nations are like people- sometimes you have to wake up in a puddle of your own puke before you finally decide to turn things around. Four years of unfettered liberalism in a collapsing economy may be such a disaster that American Liberalism will be a bad memory.

# 28. 11/5/08 6:22 AM by Dave - Webster
We had our 8 years, and we squandered it. We picked a democrat to run against a democrat, and we lost. Now its time to see what obama can do, with all his minions screaming for change. If he does well, and I hope he does as I don't want to see the US destroyed, we should congratulate him and his supporters. If, however, he turns out to be what we were all warned about, remember to seek out those same supporters and hold their feet to the fire. Pray America

# 29. 11/5/08 6:28 AM by Christopher - Rochester, NY
I have seen and been through a lot in my life, but this is one of the worst days I have had to endure.

I sit here in disbelief. Wondering why and how this has happened.

The name alone just sends chills through my spine.

Barack Hussein Obama.

Commander In Chief.

First, the Twin Towers. Now this.

Why did we let this happen?

# 30. 11/5/08 6:32 AM by darienni - Rochester, NY
Bless you Bob, for saying exactly what I needed to hear today. I didn't sleep much last night, worrying about the future of this country and the future of my children. But I knew exactly who to look to this morning for a beacon of hope. Thanks, Bob.

# 31. 11/5/08 6:40 AM by Mario - Brockport
Well said my friend.

We will see if he can earn our respect but as good conservatives, we will not act like the liberals have for most of the 8 years that George Bush was president. We will give Barack a fair chance to earn our respect.

And hopefully he will be called to the carpet if and when he turns to the left on the issues he so adeptly moved to the center on during the election.

I believe he has fooled a lot of people with his "words". Lets see what his deeds bring.

# 32. 11/5/08 6:41 AM by Bob - Rochester, NY
Karl Rove last night was as optimistic as possible last night. Hearing him talk about a new presidency after being completely demonized by the left was refreshing.

# 33. 11/5/08 6:43 AM by JT - Rochester
The people who responded to your poll and said they are worried should be. You and your readers and listeners have seen their ideology and party benched for a while. The movement Reagan started has become a vehicle of greed and intolerance. Look at the map, the Republican party has become a southern party.

# 34. 11/5/08 6:46 AM by Mike - Fairport, NY
I'm worried we won't ever get the America back that my Grandfather grew up with. No longer will the American Dream be something you will be happy to achieve, because it just means you can have more taken from you.

My generation and the ones behind it show no signs that a world under their lead years down the road is anything to look forward to.

Democrats will likely control the House, Senate and presidency from here on out. There's no hope to live with anything but ridiculously high taxes for the rest of my life.

# 35. 11/5/08 6:47 AM
Bob- I'm writing this anonymously as we now have a new president that, through out his campaign, shown me that if you disagree with him, you are going to to taken out, ruined. I feel if I were to reveal my identity, the civilian task force that our new president elect has promised would surely come knocking on my door. I am a little more than disappointed that The American people could be so brainwashed, so duped into thinking that this man will change everything for the better in this country. We now have a Democrat controlled national government. No more checks and balances. As a result, we are facing a much larger government, with a much larger role in our everyday lives. In just a few short months we will loose the war, bring our troops home without integrity or honor, and socialize America to an extent that would make most communist countries jealous. It really is a scary scenario. We don't even know who this guy really is or what he's really about. All we know is what he wants us to know. And to be honest with you we can thank the media for that. As far as giving him a chance goes Bob, if I wanted to give him a chance, I would have voted for him. He's not MY president.

# 36. 11/5/08 6:47 AM by rjd
you are dreaming, this would be akin to giving Hilter a chance, so he just kills a few million jews, he can stop any time he wants too. The left is not about fair play and hand shakes it is about the down fall of the united states as we have known it for two hundred years. The left does not reach across the aisle. you and your rw talk show brethren will be under seige very soon, good luck with your future endevors.

# 37. 11/5/08 6:52 AM
Well, the bipolar billionaire Golisano has burned millions again. Why does he not just pay down Albany's debt instead of supporting a buffoon like Dollinger?

Editor's Note: golisano, a great man, once again shows his complete political impotence.

# 38. 11/5/08 6:57 AM
Maybe this will signal a change of attitude for black people. It CAN be done. No more laziness. No more sub-par lifestyles. No more welfare. Get off your butts and go to work on changing the image of black Americans. This election was a gift, so don't waste it.

# 39. 11/5/08 6:58 AM
Dollingers values must be Brightons values. He could not win in a district that is 60% democrat. Even his negative ads did not work. Its been a long time since he has won an election... that was not just Brighton.

# 40. 11/5/08 6:58 AM by Jim - Webster, NY
Well, now the fox is guarding the hen house, ie. Oboma is in place to defend the US constitution.

Still there should be no reason to worry or fear. We have to focus on what we can control, which is ourselves, our minds, our views and reactions to what is happening around us. We must teach those around us the value of freedom and liberty, especially our children so that when the opportunity presents itself we will be ready to help take the county back toward the values on which is was founded.

# 41. 11/5/08 7:01 AM by Lorette
To Patrick Davis...........Gasp!!! Shots fired in NYC?? Must be those pesky Barack supporters. Really, do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

# 42. 11/5/08 7:04 AM by ex-pansy
“In this world ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world

# 43. 11/5/08 7:06 AM by C - Rochester
Morning Bob, Oh Well, I hope we are ready for Jimmy Carter II.

# 44. 11/5/08 7:08 AM by Lorette
Christopher....take a deep breath. You have really bought all the fear mongering, haven't you? Like it or not, President elect Barack Obama is your president too. Give him a chance to do the right thing. He may surprise you. I supported him and worked very hard on his campaign but even I prayed last night that he is the man I think he is. I am totally elated this morning and cautiously optimistic.

# 45. 11/5/08 7:13 AM by Katie J
I am angry and bitterly disappointed.

Only 30% of Republicans voted. Obama won the election by 4%.

Thank God we live in a country where the handsomest guy can win.

Thank God we live in a country where simplistic, one-word slogans still have the power to move people. (Next time around, will we shorten the word?)

Maybe our new First Lady can be proud of America for the SECOND time in her life.

All I can say is that this election was carried by the folks who consider themselves the "intellectual elite," people who assume that OF COURSE we all favor gay marriage, increased benefits for the poor, and rational conversations with even those who have - and would still like to - bomb our citizenry.

It's going to take me more than a day to get over this one.

# 46. 11/5/08 7:15 AM by Sally - Berea, Oh
I reserve my Right of Dissent.

I reserve my Right of Protest.

I reserve my Right of Civil Disobedience.

At least for the next few months that they will exist, until the Civilian Corp comes for me.

# 47. 11/5/08 7:20 AM by Barbara - North Chili, NY
Your comments are both intelligent and gracious. Let's hope all Americans who didn't get their first choice in the election follow your example.

# 48. 11/5/08 7:21 AM by alexander - upstate ny usa
still looking forward to Wease?

# 49. 11/5/08 7:21 AM by Shannon - Batavia, NY
I am holding out HOPE for CHANGE in the next 77 days..................

# 50. 11/5/08 7:22 AM
Maybe if Limbaugh, Beck, you and every other GOP broadcasting loudmouth had been a little more supportive of McCain, he may have had a fighting chance. Maybe if he hadn't picked Caribou Barbie as his VP he might have had a chance. Maybe if Bush hadn't been such a failure for the last 8 years, he might have had a chance. But this election was over before November 4th. McCain didn't have a prayer of winning.

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