Republicans are thankful for President Obama

Republicans owe President Obama a large debt of gratitude for his having greatly contributed to destroying the Democratic Party, while simultaneously leaving behind almost no trace that he ever held the office of president. Once President Trump has carried out his legislative agenda, Mr. Obama's “legacy” will be nonexistent. This year's election results are a thundering repudiation, at every level, of Mr. Obama's governing and policies.

In 2009, Mr. Obama's first year in office, Democrats held 60 seats in the U.S. Senate. They have 48 now. Democrats held 257 seats in the U.S. House. Now they hold 193.

The damage in governor's mansions and state legislatures has been even more dramatic. When Mr. Obama took office, there were 31 Democrat governors. Now there are 17. Democrats controlled 62 of the 99 state legislative chambers. Today it is 30. More than 1,000 Democrat officeholders have been defeated since Mr. Obama took office. The party of the left holds the governorship and both chambers in precisely five states.

Since Mr. Obama governed primarily with his “pen and his phone,” with no genuine attempt to involve Congress or Republicans, he will have no lasting legislative or policy achievements. His Executive Orders will be quickly rescinded and Obamacare will be repealed and replaced with better, less expensive and more workable legislation.

Likewise, Mr. Obama's foreign policy is in shambles. Our allies do not trust us, and our adversaries do not fear or respect us.

Republicans can indeed be thankful for Mr. Obama.

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 7:36 PM with the headline "Republicans are thankful for President Obama."