We are always on the arc of history, somewhere. As long as humanity vies for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” – or for power over others – we are there. The question is – where? Recent political events warrant perspective.
November races and ballot questions seemed a rout – patriot-bashers, history-haters, socialists, and communists triumphing over limited government, less regulation, lower spending and taxes, election integrity, and gun rights.
But look closer. Remember, history comes in cycles. For starters, mid-cycle candidates in the first year are often caught in a downdraft. Add the virulent, embarrassing anti-Trump syndrome. People unlearn falsehoods slowly. Those convinced that a successful president is Hitler tilted left. Reality is elsewhere.
Whether the extreme crowd will return to balance, reassess based on facts, logic, empirical data, and legal referents is uncertain – but many traditional Democrats sat this one out, were not energized, and do not like where their party is going.
Moreover, the specific losses are understandable. In Virginia, Schumer’s Democrat Shutdown left federally-employed Virginians rifling through trash or without paychecks, angry. Told Trump was to blame, they voted left.
In New Jersey, long Democrat, any wonder things got confusing? “Progressive” policies defined the Democrats, but the Democrat candidate for Governor was a “prosecutor” and former “Navy pilot.” Confusing.
In Maine, Democrats spent heavily to win two confusing referendum questions. Millions of dark money mixed with downright corruption, as questions were misworded, confused by a Democrat Secretary of State running for governor.
The deceit was palpable, as one question sought to assure election integrity with a voter ID, the other to prevent gun confiscation without due process. While challenged in court, an all-Democrat Supreme Court permitted this chicanery.
Finally, New York City, bastion of liberal thought, typically big on social policies, open markets, and heavily Jewish, elected a communist, anti-Semitic, Muslim.
So, what is the lesson? The data, demographics, and history say Virginia is not a federal district but a divided state, warring within over Trump, parental rights, and woke.
New Jersey is similar, a reflection of national confusion and neighboring New York. Anti-Trump sentiment is strong with voters dependent on the state, leftism sidelining traditional Democrats, and some seeing “prosecutor” and “Navy pilot.”
New York City – after COVID – is strikingly different. Like California, millions of Republicans just moved out, leaving leftists in control. To this, add a disgraced governor versus a fresh face, anti-Trump, pro-Gaza, and Muslim. The left ate it up.
In Maine, more analysis is needed, but the state is almost evenly divided on registrations, Democrats, Independents (some libertarian), Republicans (growing).
On the Voter ID question, a whopping 170,000 signatures put it on the ballot, yet by the time the question appeared for voting, it was a contortionist act, black was blue, east was west, and the thing got flacked by leftists as “anti-absentee ballot” – in a state with the oldest population and highly dependent on absentee ballots.
On that gun grab question, Maine – an overwhelmingly pro-gun state – was hit again with wording that made the question seem about madmen and family control, not government confiscation without due process. Deceit prevailed.
So, what are the lessons for 2026?
First, Democrats are increasingly desperate – losing on the merits, as Biden-Obama errors are reversed. They use any means to win, including abuse of position, deceit, threats, and even cheering on political violence. This is a dangerous and radical turn.
Second, Democrats are well-funded by billionaires on the far left who do not respect history, and do not want Republicans or Truman, JFK, or Clinton Democrats elected. They want socialist, power-confiscating, even communist candidates.
Third, mid-cycles are difficult, as the enthusiasm of the prior presidential cycle fades, policy victories are not yet cemented, and here, a shutdown created anger.
Fourth, history does not end. We are always on the arc. The next year – next voting cycle – will be complicated and different, a challenge. But: The shutdown will end, Trump’s positive economic policies kick in, and woke activism continues to erode.
Needed will be more conservative – family and freedom-focused – thinking, better persuasion about why history, individual liberty, free markets, and what have always been core American strengths matter – and why communism always fails.
Perhaps the best counsel comes from history. Wrote Winston Churchill, who failed many times before saving the Western World: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” He added, “In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity.”
Like him, General Douglas MacArthur said: “We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph, and from both we have learned there can be no turning back.”
But my favorite guideposts are from General George C. Patton. He advised: “Always do more than is required of you,” and know “In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten; then he who continues the attack wins.” If we use facts and history, 2026 will be a red-letter year. Work begins now.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
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