As of now, the outcome of the races that will determine control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives remains unclear.

Specific candidates and local issues are factors. But, given the palpable and well-documented anger of a majority of voters about the “wrong direction” in which the nation is headed, and the historical losses that first-term presidents’ parties suffer in midterms, the Republican opposition should have performed far better.

That would have required, however, leadership in Congress that articulated and pursued a robust platform for corrective action – and explicitly sought a mandate for achieving it.

Compare the failure of Senator Mitch McConnell and Rep. Kevin McCarthy to provide such leadership with the crushing success of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who fearlessly did.

The former should have the grace now to yield their positions to others actually willing to lead.

This is Frank Gaffney.