Governing is much tougher than challenging. Already, Georgia Republicans are finding this to be true.

Candidly, for most, it can appear to be an impossible task. Looking out from the perch of governing, there appears an endless mass of those who would tell you that what you propose simply will not work. It is daunting. Indeed, it represents the extremes of the roller coaster of power. On the one hand, there are the perks of power - cars with drivers; field passes for athletic competitions; television cameras at every turn and celebrity. On the other, there are there are the pressures of power: the constant media scrutiny; the steady opposition; the political uncertainty; and the weight of the impact of every decision.

And, there is no refuge for the weary political traveler. Budgets must be submitted. Legislative agendas must be pushed. Political promises must be fulfilled. Party IOUs must be paid. Fundraisers must be attended. Elections must be won. Battles must be waged. The hours are long. The challenges are great. The tests are tough.

There are tendencies among those who achieve political success. Some settle into political comfy chairs that insulate them from reality. Often, they are relegated to single term of political fame only to return to their lives as citizens with but a taste of what could have been. Others turn to political insiders to guide them through the landmines of the political warfield, only to find their destinies dictated by those who know less than them. Still others defer to government bureaucrats to chart their course with their political fortunes to be decided by events of their time.

Then, there are those who define their own destiny by the boundaries of their faith, the parameters of their beliefs, and the goals of their ideas. They are not always the flashiest of politicians or the noisiest of leaders. They know where they have been, and they know where they are and they know where they are going. These are not simple tasks in the political world. But, it can be done.

Speaker J. Dennis Hastert did it with a Democratic President and a fragile majority following a difficult period for his Party. He did it not once, but twice. President George W. Bush did with a Democratic majority in the United States Senate and a midterm election that most expected to be a loss of power, not a gain.

Both achieved their success by staying true to their principles, remaining focused on their goals, and understanding that this is a two party system. The important point for many Georgia Republican state senators and representatives is that they stay true to their principles, remained focus on the goals, and understood that this is a two party system.

In the end, success will be defined by moving the agenda, improving on the status quo, and making Georgia a better place. Every thing else really does not matter. If Georgia becomes better as a result of new policies and priorities, the rest will take care of itself. Georgians did not vote for more the same; they voted for change. The question now is whether the Republican majority will give them change or more of the same.