[jyl]

Ideally, the Republicans will learn a lot, and the Democrats won't learn too much, if you know what I mean.

The main lessons I'd like (hope) both parties to learn from this midterm election:

1. Go too far to the extreme, pander too exclusively to your "base", and you will lose. Come to the center, where the vast majority of Americans live, and you will win.

2. If your President is driving your party off a cliff, grow some balls and rein him in. Or be pushed off the cliff with him.

3. Don't start a war that you didn't have to start and that you don't know how to win.