WILL THE NEXT GOP CANDIDATE NOT ACCEPT THE MSM’S TERMS FOR DEBATE? I don’t just mean adopting Newt’s ability to use liberal debate moderators as chew toys. (Though that’s not a bad start.) I mean accepting which topics are and aren’t on the table to discuss during the campaign itself.

But in 2008, John McCain was afraid to mention Rev. Wright, for fear of being branded a crypto-racist. It didn’t matter; the media did so anyhow. (And then, like previous allegations against Joe Biden, and Bill and Hillary Clinton, once McCain lost, nobody cared or remembered; the r-word’s constant use by the left has denuded it into a tactical weapon, not a nuclear one.)

In 2012, Mitt Romney was afraid to bring up Benghazi for fear it would make him look like he was losing the election. Again, it didn’t matter – he lost.

I realize that being a presidential candidate is the equivalent of being the very visible CEO of an immense multimillion dollar enterprise that seeks to influence sixty million customers to buy its product. And life in that fishbowl existence makes anyone increasing reluctant to shoot from the hip, particularly as November approaches. And particularly, when you’re a GOP candidate who knows that your every statement will cause an enormous negative counter-reaction from the left.

But could the next GOP candidate grow more of a spine, and stop accepting what the MSM determines is and isn’t out of bounds for him to discuss?

HOPEY-CHANGEY: Stocks Plunge 2% After Election, Dow Skids 300.

UPDATE: A reader emails: “The economy just saw its shadow and has gone back to sleep for four years.”

CHANGE: Boehner Opens Door To “New Revenue” To Halt Debt.

Hey, I’ve got some ideas.

MEANWHILE, IN TENNESSEE: “Republicans gained six seats each in the state House and Senate Tuesday, giving the party more than the “super majority” they sought in both chambers, according to complete but unofficial election returns. By controlling two-thirds of the seats in both chambers for the first time since the Reconstruction era, Republicans will have a quorum and could continue in session even if all Democrats walk out. The two-thirds ‘super majority’ also allows united Republicans to suspend normal rules and instantly pass legislation.” Nothing like this has happened since Reconstruction ended.

53 HOUSE MEMBERS TO OBAMA: Were Pre-9/11/12 Benghazi Bombings in Presidential Daily Briefs?

ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO NEXT, from the Insta-Wife. She’s a wise woman. (Bumped).

GOING NUCLEAR: Harry Reid Nuking Filibuster Rules.

WHY BUZZ LIGHTYEAR is worth more than Han Solo.

TWO CHRIS MATTHEWS IN ONE:

• January 2011: Sarah Palin’s clip art somehow resulted in the tragedy of 12 people injured and six people dead.
• November 2012: Matthews thanks Hurricane Sandy for helping elect Barack Obama. Or as Jim Treacher paraphrases, “take heart, victims of Hurricane Sandy. Your lives may be ruined, [including over a hundred dead — Ed] but try to see the bigger picture: At least President Obama didn’t have to give a concession speech.”

We’re all just props in Barry and Chris’s ongoing psychodrama, I guess. Both can take heart in this headline: “President Obama takes Staten Island in squeaker over Republican Romney, final numbers show.”

CHANGE: Laser Tweezers: Now anybody can pick up and move micrometre-scale particles using their hands and arms thanks to a Kinect-controlled device called HoloHands.

THANKS, GLENN, for loaning us guest bloggers the keys for a month. And thanks everybody for reading!

PHOTOS: Eight Beautiful Terraced Pools.

PASS THE CATSUP, PLEASE: I don’t claim to know why the 2012 election came out as it did, but a few tentative observations are very much on my mind as I munch on a plateful of crow.

THIS IS NO TIME TO GO WOBBLY: No Regrets, No Apologies.

SO LONG, AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH!:  Just a quick note to say “thank you” to all the fantastic Insta-P loyal readers during my tenure as a guestblogger.  It’s been a crazy ride, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it!  Thanks also to my insightful, funny, scary-smart co-bloggers, from whom I’ve learned much, and of course the Insta-P himself, Glenn Reynolds, my former law professor (!)  and now esteemed colleague/friend, for giving me the opportunity to converse with such an amazing community of folks.  Keep fighting the good fight, all.  There is much work to be done!  Best wishes, Elizabeth

INAUGURATION THOUGHTS FROM READER TOM BARKER: “BHO can show he’s serious about the deficit by having a simple ceremony vs. another billion dollar immaculate one. Will his ego permit it..?”

ON THE JOB: Staten Island FEMA Disaster Center Shuts Doors ‘Due to Weather.’ “FEMA packed up and left. We don’t know where they are, so there’s nothing here but us.”

ROGER SIMON: “Boy, have we got work to do.”

MICHAEL BARONE: Two Americas. “The country is no longer culturally cohesive.”

NEW YORK CITY battens down for another storm.

READER HENRY SINGER WRITES:

I am a long time reader.

Thanks again to your outstanding guest bloggers. They have been exceptional. They added to my already intense interest in Instapundit.

Disappointed in the outcome of the election but ever more faithful to and appreciative of your blog.

Thanks! Well, the blog’s not going anywhere. Been through a bunch of elections, good and bad. You win, you lose, you move on. There’s always another coming. And yes, the guestbloggers have been great. They won’t be around as much post-election, but I’ve invited them to drop by and post here occasionally when they feel like it. And Ed Driscoll will be reporting from the post-election NRO cruise, which should be interesting.

WALTER RUSSELL MEAD: Why China Is Anxious About Obama’s Win.

ROGER KIMBALL: The Morning After. “Romney never quite closed the deal and Obama’s efforts to paint him as an out-of-touch plutocrat eager to conduct a ‘war on women’ succeeded. For conservatives, it is a depressing situation.”

UPDATE: A reader emails:

On the blogs I read and comment on (not counting yours, really), I’ve seen far, far too many blog entries and comments lamenting our imminent collapse, our impending distruction, our slow (or rapid) descent into Hell, and so forth, all because we re-elected Mr. Obama. My humble request — can we hold off on the end-of-the-world stuff a while longer? We aren’t there yet. Not even close. The United States is a far more complicated and resilient organism than we give it credit for. Whatever’s ahead we’ll tackle, and it won’t matter much who’s president.

I agree. I think the conservatives are taking it harder than the libertarians because (1) conservatives tend toward gloom; and (2) libertarians are used to being unhappy with elections. Even when our guy wins!

PHOTOS: The Hurricane Sandy aftermath.