On Top of the World (OPINION)

Like The Beach Boys famously sang, “Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world.”

The 1963 song seems a fitting description of the political landscape after the enormous Republican tidal wave of victories on Nov. 4, a pivotal day in Arkansas political history.

Give credit to the Republican Party, on every level.

You can debate qualifications and disagree with candidates of various political persuasions, but the campaigning of the Republicans was the difference. They were abundantly funded, very insistent and exceedingly coordinated in their message, piggybacking on the widespread unpopularity of the Democratic president and his policies.

Voters responded decisively to the theme. As a result, Republicans now make up Arkansas’ entire Congressional delegation — two U.S. Senators and four Congressmen.

And for the first time in history, Republicans are now the majority party in Arkansas among the state officeholders.

Left in defeat were some admirable Democratic candidates, particularly attorney Nate Steel, who lost the attorney general’s race. He will likely be heard from again. At least, I hope he is.

In the governor’s race, Asa Hutchinson struck such a good tone throughout the fall that he needed only to run a smart campaign to win.

He did, and he did, defeating Mike Ross to become just the fourth Republican in the last 140 years to be elected governor of Arkansas.

And even Tom Cotton, as polarizing to some as the president is to others, managed to seem worthy and humble in his speech to supporters after his U.S. Senate victory over incumbent Mark Pryor.

Cotton’s victory, by the way, will instantly make him a candidate for higher office someday.

So that is the tenor of the day. Say what you will of the anti-Obama strategy; just say that it worked. Arkansas Democrats are left reeling, and Arkansas Republicans rode the wave to the top.

Whatever side you’re on, anyone with an interest in political history will always remember this as a pivotal moment for the state.