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Not show up when the new Congress convenes in January.

Republicans need to do something the Democrats of the past 8 years haven't done. Fight for the people they represent. A big reason Bush is so unpopulara is because the Democrats had no voice. Looking at the seats in the House and the Senate, that lack of a voice certainly wasn't due to a lack of representation.

Don't know Jack, but they can help America by tracking all the broken promises. There will be a boat load of them.

Stop complaining and try to work with him to help the American people get out of this credit and economic crisis. I just hate the fact they are harping on the Blago scandal when the attorney general states Obama is not involved so let it go and try to unify the United States so we can become a better country.

Shay
Alabama

I don't think they have the slightest interest in helping Obama or our country. That is why they lost the election. Their slogan, "Country First" was just a bunch of baloney!

It's not about what they should do to help Obama – it should be what they can/ should do to help America as a whole. Time for both parties to stop playing as Republicans or Democrats but do as Americans!

Hey Jack,
Accept all of their resignations immediately!
Starting with Bush and Cheney.

Thomas, Carlsbad, CA

By packing up and leaving Dodge now. Everything this administration has touched has turned to mud and Obama will have a the greatest task of undoing what messes they have done.

They kindest gift would be to keep their mouths shut for the first year. Let the President-elect start his programs and unless their is a critical point of disagreement keep the politicking in the back room and off of air waves.

Jack

How about doing what we the people are paying them to for.

Resigning

If there going to Obama understand russia and putins plans to destroy america .Bush ego wont let him unstand his freinds hate for anything american. This started when you news people gave reagan credit for the fall of iron curtian which was not at all what happen .We need the GOP to show Obama the need for a army ready to fight.

The GOP can only help by getting out of the way. The GOP has shown us what they can do and it is not good. The GOP needs time to find out who they are, what they stand for, and who their leader is. January 20th we will finally have a leader after being leaderless for eight long painful years.

I honestly don't think there are enough politicians in the GOP or the Democratic party that can get past partisan politics to work together to do what is right for America. Even with the economy at the brink of collapse they are still playing party politics. It's disgusting and I wish we could fire them all and start over.
We need a Parlimentary system like they have in Canada and Britain. When the politicians get out of hand, they are all promptly fired. Wouldn't that be great?

Watch childrens programs so they can learn how to cooperate.

Jack: You mean what are the Republicans going to do to help President Elect Obama?-absolutely nothing–the minute Obama reaches across the aisle-he is going to get bitten. You can touch the spots of a lepoard, but you can't move them.

Jack, it's an awfully big assumption that they care to. Besides, the core of the question is how can they work together to help our nation. Don't expect to see a big chance of that from the right.

They Need to understand that if we do not work together our nation will fall. we need not agree on everything but come together to a level standing so our nation will move forward for which it has not been doing in the past forty years to which we have been sliding backwards. one for all and all for one.

For starters, they could stop showing off how partisan they are and start showing off their maturity by not voting opposing everything Obama supports simply because he's a Democrat.

I'll let you know what else they can do after they accomplish that first goal... don't hold your breath.

they better respect him as a educated man who know that this country needs change for all people..some of the old leaders aren't helping by attacking him or calling him names..he was voted by the people who wants change..thanks to bush, the country needs a refresher course of new ideas for bringing people together as well getting everyone employed for our children's sake or ourselves..or else they will be known as the herbert hoover party for good!

Jack, What they can do (SHOULD do) is set a tone for American unity so that our many problems can be quickly addressed and (hopefully) resolved. It is time for our leaders to do what is best for our country and the people. I f they don't work together get ready for revolution.

They should offer him their civility and have a willingness to hear what he has to say when it comes to policies he wants to enact. Their cooperation can go a long way in uniting Washington and this country as well!

They need to be pro-American vs pro-party.They should try being less devisive and take a bipartisan approach; right now they seem more intent on tering Barack down before he even takes office. It is time to put aside sour grapes and unite for their country.Their current attitude played a large part in why they lost.

They can start by loosing the stupid talking points. It seems as if the RNC holds a meeting with all the republican strategists whenever they smell blood in the water and it's not long before they all come out blathering the same nonsense. If they dropped the divisive stuff, speak the truth (oh sure), and work for the people of this country instead of their party, we might get through this thing. If they don't, it could backfire.

The GOP can help by being sincere in assisting our new president in making the U.S. a better place to live.

Well, trying to work WITH the new congress and new President instead of the good of their own pockets and the party line would be nice - not likely, but nice.

Stand on their heads once a day to remind them selfs of how upside down their view of the world is!

Jack, this is something that we all have known for a long time, simply put, fighting for us for a change want destroy the Republican Party!

The one thing they can do is stop running vicious and erroneous attack ads like they did last week. They can also consider be more open to compromise in the Senate and House.

Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas

Work across the aisle, be helpful, do what is needed to get this country moving again. And if they can't do that? Stay out of the way. You are either on this train, or you aren't.

Think, and act like a Democrat.

The GOP should listen to John McCain and pull the plug on petty politics at least until the country gets back on its feet. A very refreshing concept, but I doubt it will ever happen. The RNC is buried too deep in the manure to change their ways.

All the obstructionist Republican sheep should all be herded together down on Crawford Ranch never to return.

The best way they can help is to stay quiet and out of the way. They have done quite enough damage already.

They should be thinking of themselves as Americans first, instead of Republicans. And they should be realizing that whatever they do to help their country will help Pre.-elect Obama and will ultimately help them retain their seats in Congress.

The GOP can help by bringing up constructive criticism and new ideas. If they can't do this, they should simply shout their mouths and step aside.

The republicans should work with democrats for the good of the country instead of fighting them. This country was made by us working together. Their need to control everything is bad for the country. Look at the times they were incharge. The country went in the toilet for everyone except the fat cats. Think US as in the United States.

Republicans should evaluate Obama's suggested programs and legislation on the basis of common sense rather than the Republican party line. Republicans need to be willing to reach across the aisle and arrive at consensus and forget going the filibuster route. They need to get rid of the school playground mentality that won't let them acknowledge the merit of the other party's ideas. And we don't need another Special Prosecutor looking to bring the president down.

Well, well, let me count the ways! Thinking out of the box, perhaps? Especially the republican box of the last 20 years or supporting his cabinet choices because they are center of left where they complained he would take us. And then there is a little thing called 'compromise' or 'bi-partisianship' in Congress to get things passed. I'm sure there are lots more but my mind has just boggled thing about this actually happening!

The Republicans can help themselves, Obama, and the nation as a whole, by opening criminal investigations on the numerous accusations against Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, Gonzales and everyone else associated with the current administration. It shouldn't be Obama or the Democrats job to prosecute the very people who have shown such blatant disregard for the Constittution and the laws of this nation. If the Republicans can just take care of that, Obama can do the rest.

The Repubs can face up to the fact that they lost the election, and that no amount of wishing-it' wasn't-so will change things. They can act like the adults they are supposed to be, and quit digging their heels in like the spoiled brats many of them have become.

I'd like to see Republicans getting busy brainstorming for solutions towards the continually unfolding financial debacles, good ideas on health care reform, greening, climate, a way to bring manufacturing back into the US, general economic retooling and rebuilding. And when they do, give them some positive press. And I know some are but it's time to put party aside and country first, to quote John McCain. And I voted for Obama, btw.

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Hopefully, they will recognize the only way we can get out of the situation created by the previous administration is to try to work together with the President-Elect for the good of the country. John and Jane Q Public have spoken and we are tired of politics as usual. If the Republicans currently in office continue of the path they have been on for the last 8 years, we will come together as a country (in 2010) and help them look for other employment.

The Republicans, and Democrats and not exempt, should pack away to egos and obsession for power that they cannot handle, and begin to look towards themselves to foster change. Until we can each begin to change ourselves we have no hope of changing the world.

I live in a dream world. Perhaps they could think of the country first. I know it would be very unusual for such unselfish actions but one could hope that the selfish partisans from each side could for once try to accomplish something and get us out of this mess. I think that most decent people would appreciate such efforts. They just need to put a hold on their ideologies for a short period and when things start getting back to normal they can let the dogs out again.

Those Republicans who are still are against Preident-Elect Obama should follow Senator Maccain and Governor Sarah Palin in promising to help President-Elect in carrying out his duties and to bring America back on its feet

Those Republicans in Congress who are voting against Obama and other Democrat simply to disagree should grow up.

With the ratings as low as you have indicated.....if they don't grow up and act like the intelligent representatives their constituents elected…..they will be soon voted out
.

To start, they can stop attacking the Middle Class. If it weren't for Democrats, we wouldn't have one. What they gave Wall St, versus how they treated Detroit, won't be forgotten. Second, they can stop the cheap shots, like the crap they are trying to pull linking Obama to Blago. Third, how about not obstructing Obama's cabinet picks? I recall that Democrats were crushed, for only questioning the slime that Bush brought in. Finally, they could really help out, by just going away.

How about forgetting about Republicans and Democrats (both sides of the isle) and say "Let us share ideas and come up with something that will benefit the country as a whole, and not just the high society people"?.

Yes they should take Newt''s Advice....The Republicans are working hard at destroying their Party from the Inside Out......And there will be Hell to pay if they Crash the Big 3!......3+million Jobs gone and the Backbone of our Country Lost to Foreign Auto-Makers.....Dooms-day for the GOP!!

The Republican party has spent the last 8 years stuffing our country into the toilet. If they want to help, they can step out of the way and see what real leadership and patriotism look like.

Nothing! Do to the Dems and Obama as they did to Bush and the GOP! Obstructionist!

I agree with Ginrich and that's a rare thing. They should try to become problem solvers, more pragmatic and less ideological. Denial and "flat-earth" thinking is not what we need right now.

Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX

It would be great if the Republicans and the Democrats would focus on the problems we elected them to solve instead of worrying about how to make the other party look bad! We have a lot of serious problems, and there's no doubt in my mind that we have the ability to solve them, but that won't happen if they continue their partisan bickering! They bicker and we suffer the consequences! It's time for a BIG attitude adjustment!

Jack,
I think the Repbulicans will help President-Elect Obama in most constructive solutions concerning this quagmire of crises we now find ourselves at the end of the Bush Adminstration. Somebody has to fix this mess, and it will take time but throwing in unnecessary obstacles is foolish. Bush should help bail out GM and Ford, and that would be a decision that Obama won't have to make. Republicans should reach across the aisle on any reasonable legislation. Cabinet appointments should be confirmed without undue delay, and be bi-partisan.
John
Pampa, TX

History will be kinder to George W. Bush. He didn't shoot his hunting buddy, or get shoes thrown at him in the Middle East during a press conference. Cheney is a snake. That's why Bush was never impeached.
John
Pampa, TX

I'm not sure that it is their responsibility to help Obama. It is theri responsibility to stay focused on the greater good of the nation. I can't believe that negative ads about the Illinois governor gets to that end.

The Republicans should faithfully represent their constiuencies in the context of a unified nation. By the way, the Democrats should not make any assumptions that the naiton is unified under their beliefs, either

Judging from the fact that a liberal like Barack Obama can come this far to the center, I think that the Republicans should just be honest, and support his ideas that they can live with, and fight the ones they can't live with.

Offer better solutions than the one's on the table! Solving the problems is supposed to be the business of all the people in government. A good start would be having banks lend the money they were given to lend, rather than paying bonuses amd golden parachutes for the losers.

The Republicans must try to help America as a whole and not just the ultra rich-they will need to work with Obama & the democrats to do this. Put away the devisiveness and try working together for the good of the Country instead of self interests. The Democrats need to to the same & forget the partisan stuff.

I'm not holding my breath. The likes of Colon Powell, McCain and even Gingritch are what the Republicans need right now, but they have too many McConnels, Vitters, Demints and Boehners. who have been part of the problem the past 8 years and will no doubt not be part of the solution now. If they don't wake up and help clean up their mess, hopefully in 2012 it will be so obvious that the voters in their own states will replace them and any other Congressional roadblocks.

I think they should do what they were elected to do. The voters of their states trust that they will serve this country well. I believe that they may not agree with all of the proposals that Obama makes but on the other hand if they don't like something and plan to vote against it they should have a better option to offer. There are a number of Republican Senators that have a lot to offer.

Hi Jack
Buy putting the intrests of this country & it's people first & not the intrests of their party.

This is too easy. Come down off of those high horses of theirs and actually meet and talk to the people that voted for President-Elect Obama that are in the trenches barely surviving. Then they need to stop criticizing, listen and get the crap out of the way if they can't add anything but negativity to the situation. Above all they need to stop pretending like they know all about a problem when in essence they don't.

When was the last time these guys/gals had to apply for work? Work for mininum wage? Choose between healthcare and food? Never.
I bet if they had my mother's job of making barely over mininum wage as a CNA(Certified Nursing Assistant), they'd get a real picture of how America works. It really doesn't.

I like Brook in Brooklyn's idea too.

They should be very quiet and let the adults put the pieces back together again

Jack,

The Republicans didnt learn a thing from all the negative campaigning they did during the Presidential and Congressional races. They offered nothing new from the previous 7 years. I have never been a fan of Gingrich even though I am from Georgia but he has made more sense in the past few years than any of his time in Congress.

They have to keep in mind that we are Americans first and put aside partisan squabbles. We have no time to waste; all of us have to pull together. We need to make rational decisions that benefit workers, employers and those who are retired who have worked so hard to make this the great country we want to be again.

Well Jack it is still obvious that the republican party is continuing the attacks and rhetoric that sunk there ship on election day.Apparently the George W plague is contagious and the republican party has been infected.I believe it will be a very long time before there ship sails again.
Our president elect has chosen the few republicans across the table with any sense left to work together with the democrats.Wise choice on his part.

Republicans should take a back seat and give Obama some room to work. The results from the Nov. 4 elections were the voters telling the GOP that their way of running the country was unacceptable. If Republicans oppose Obama on every issue they will only hurt the nation by preventing progress and change, which we need.

The loyal opposition should strongly voice their opinion and then fully support what the majority has decided upon. That's the way our government is supposed to work. If it didn't work that way when we first became the United States of America, we wouldn't be here today. And if we can't or won't get along that way now, we might not have a tomorrow.

The GOP is so focused on their waning power they will probably continue to do the counter-productive politics of destruction despite the moderation suggested by Gingrich and McCain. Propagating hate, fear and opposition to anything that might help the nation will continue to marginalize them as a party. The most helpful thing they can do is continue with politics as usual so that the last of them are voted out of congress in 2010.

The Republicans should rollout the red carpet and welcome Obama and his fellow Democrats to Washington and say, "We blew it. Now you give it a try. We will support you – for the good of the country...oh and by the way, we're sorry."

They should as hard as they can to get a reasonable universal health care bill passed. This one thing will do more to get our economy back on track. Can you imagine the savings to so many small business owners and even to large corporations attempting to provide retiree benefits.

The GOP can quit the rhetoric and whining and support the new government who was hired by us, the voters, the people of this country who put them all in power..

We are sick of the schoolyard fights and yelling and corruption in both parties so let's all just get along....because that's what they are all being paying to do by us...

i don,t know what they will destroy first the party or the country

What the republicans should do is FOR ONCE work for the entire country to correct the problems they created. By helping to solve problems the public will gradually see them in a new light. The negative ads, blocking legislation and their lack of connecting to real people has cost them dearly. America needs cooperation now NOT negative ads. They should donate the money from this bad ad to some local charity for Christmas at least it is a positive. Lynn Sr. Kent New York

They should sit down and work constructively with Pres. elect Obama to pull the economy up and not resort to the kind of partisan politics we seen with the Auto industry loan package. That group of GOP senators that put there personal interests first and spoke of the foreign car makers operating in there states should be labeled un-american as the states they are from gave the foreign makers incentives and state gov. help to set up in there states and that they are union busting states, but they dont want to help N. america car companies. And there is 500000 jobs at stake in Canada direct and indirect related to the auto industry if it fails.
Dave L, Alvinston Ontario

Jack,

The GOP must help Obama restore the economy for America and the rest of the world. With millions of jobs, homes and retirement plans in jeopardy, it is in everyone's best interests to help Obama do whatever is necessary to move the economy in a new direction for what is best for the world in the 21st century.

If Newt Gingrich wants to tell the Republicans in Congress what to do, why doesn't he run for his old seat? I think the Republican National Committee should go ahead and do what they think is right regarding the video. Those who believe that Obama had nothing to do with the choice of his successor are the same ones that believed all of his campaign promises, the ones he is breaking on nearly a daily basis now.
Brownwood, Texas

The GOP needs to return to real small town values like fiscal responsibility and helping your neighbor if they are in trouble. Right now – we all are in trouble. We are in an economic state of war that the GOP seems to want to give away to our global competition. And all the GOP can do is play blame game with Obama when even the crooked Governor said on tape that he hated Obama because he wouldn't play ball.

Republicans are the party of "keep the rich, rich" agenda at the expense of everyone – even themselves. They are pitiful.

Janice, Aberdeen, SD

How quickly they forgot their slogan in the election. They need to put "Country First".

Ya know, when my children used to have a day where they fought constantly, I made them sit calmly around the dinner table and take turns saying something really nice about each person. It changed the mood and made them realize how lucky they are to have eachother as they grew up. The next time the republicans have an impulse to be impossibly partisan and greedy, the leadership should try this. Considering they act like children most of the time, it might just work.

If Sarah Palin is an example of the current crop of Republicans, they need to finish high school before they try helping anybody with anything.

Jack, they should all sell their Senate seat to the highest bidder