Although all politicians want their party to become the ruling party, being the minority has its advantages: the ruling party has to deliver no matter what. If it fails to do so, it will be held accountable, some members of the party will lose their office (and therefore their job) and they can be less ideological than members of the opposition can be.

The minority, on the other hand, can stay true to its ideals. It does not have to deliver anything since it is in no position to do so. If it wins a specific legislative battle it is celebrated by a great many people precisely because being the minority automatically means that such victories will be rare. When crisis occur and policies fail to produce the results promised to voters, the opposition can reap the benefits by blaming the ruling party for all that went wrong.

At the same time, the minority can bide its time and formulate its own policies and solutions to problems facing the country. Even if these plans would not have been effective, the opposition can pretend they would have since no one can rightfully claim the opposite. When a new crisis breaks out, the minority can once again take its time to offer solutions its supports and believes to be effective, while the ruling party has to act immediately.

The GOP will have a great window of opportunity in 2009: it should use this time to formulate (new) ideas, new plans, new policy proposals and it should do everything in its power to improve its own image. Then, in 2010, Republicans can hope to make a (small) comeback in Congress, taking away some seats presently occupied by Democrats. Even if this happens, the Republican Party will remain the minority for two years to come, meaning that if Republicans take over once again, it will likely be in 2012, giving the party two years more to present itself as a valid alternative to the (big government) solutions of the Democratic Party.

Much is asked of Republican leaders in the coming year. 2009 will be a key year for them and their party. If they fail to blame Democrats for all that is wrong in the coming year, and fail to present alternative plans, they will remain the minority in 2010, and they may lose even more seats, giving the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate.

Not all is bad for Republicans, however. 2009 will also be the year of opportunities. Being the minority is difficult in some ways, but it is also an advantage.