Responsibility

Republicans swept into power across much of the country, gaining control of the House and more seats in the Senate. What’s more, they won key governors’ races, including victories in swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. The comeuppance for President Barack Obama and his party marks the third consecutive presidency in which voters rebuked an administration in a mid-term election.

The Dallas Morning News welcomes the news that now both parties will be held accountable for what happens in Washington. We are hopeful that a Republican-led House will be more likely to rein in deficit spending and reform a flawed health care package passed by Democrats.

Going into the election, voters clearly remained worried about the economy and jobs. Those anxieties were matched by rising fears about the national debt and growth of government. Democrats, vulnerable on each front, endured the brunt of voters’ frustration.

The Republican party must resist the urge to play divisive politics with the hard questions of governance.

Republicans’ skill in getting the country to deal with the hard choices will determine whether the nation can escape fiscal jeopardy. It also will determine whether the GOP retains power and even elects a president. Republicans also have a new crop of governors to lead statehouses, which, of course, produced leaders like George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.

But these are fickle times. Just ask the once-popular Barack Obama.

— The Dallas Morning News