This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Lord Admiral Nelson is famously quoted as saying “Never mind the maneuvers, always go at them.”  In other words, at some point ships in a battle need to stop playing around and get down to the business of warfare.  It is good advice – and one that Republicans should heed.

According to WRAL out of Raliegh, a recent NBC news poll shows that Democrats currently hold a 6 point lead over Republicans in taking control of the House of Representatives.  According to the poll, the top issues on American’s minds are inflation as it relates to the cost of living and threats to democracy.  Both parties get mixed reviews and ratings from this poll.  Yet, the overall message is clear – whatever party is seen as providing concrete solutions to these stated issues – and others – will win in November. 

Cue Admiral Nelson – because Republicans have an incredible opportunity to stop their political maneuvering and put before the American people in a series of unadulterated and clear bills that will provide solutions that will work – if only the Democrats would either go along or get out of the way.  Republicans need to stop overthinking this – just write the bills – don’t allow for markups or pork or amendments – and bring to the floor for an up or down vote. 

For example, in his State of the Union address, President Trump talked about passing a law that prohibits issuing commercial driver’s licenses – the licenses that big truckers need – to illegal immigrants.  Republicans have presented the bill in both chambers of Congress, but it languishes in committee.  Stop with the maneuvers!  Leadership in both houses have the ability to essentially bypass committees and bring bills to the entire floor.  An up or down vote will put Democrats on record – in this case indicating they want illegal immigrants who do not know our language driving multi-ton trucks on our roads.

Whether it is Wall Street buying up houses, congressional stock trading bans, prohibiting men to play in women’s sports, election integrity, border and immigration issues, reducing or eliminating taxes – Republicans need to just put forward these common sense and widely supported bills and tee up the votes.  Democrats will be forced to go on record and demonstrate that they are the true threat to our republic, they are the ones keeping prices high, they are the ones who care more about criminals then law-abiding American citizens.

Or Republicans can count on loosing in November, because they insist on just playing around instead of actually getting things done. 

For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample.  Thanks for listening.

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