SALT LAKE CITY — On my way to the election, I learned that while we whine and complain about it, presidential politics has become the 24/7 American pastime and there is no intermission or halftime. Knives are being sharpened as you read this and the pregame activities are already underway for 2016.

My belief that the extremes of the Republican Party force the best candidates to lean so far to the right during the primaries that the survivor emerges seriously damaged was confirmed as I traveled around the country covering the primaries, the conventions and most recently election coverage in Ohio and Michigan. In Mitt Romney's case, moderate Republicans, Independents and, certainly Democrats pointed to extreme planks in the platform, draconian comments from prominent Republicans, and in an effort to navigate through the challenging primary path, what they perceived as Romney's flip-flopping.

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Here's a tip for party animals. In Ohio I learned that if you have the choice to go to a GOP rally or a Democrat rally, always, always choose Democrat. I'm not talking content here, I'm talking rockin' the house and having a party!

I've learned, but apparently it is just dawning on the Republican Party, that if your message - or the way you're selling it, isn't resonating the way it should with women; the pitch or the product isn't fully inspiring the youth of the country; minorities aren't buying and the fastest growing segment in the nation—Hispanics--have not only felt a chill, they've practically been shown the door - there might be something wrong with your approach or policy. Imagine any business looking at the above scenario and saying," Hey, the answer is just a little more tough love."

And here's an interesting tidbit. I've learned that people in swing states have no clue that everyone around the country isn't experiencing what they are, the good, the bad and the ugly. They think we're all being pummeled by the same never ending ads. (Oh, believe me, what we experienced in Utah pales in comparison.) They think we all get these quick, fly-in visits complete with mini rock concerts and endless hoopla. I joked with folks in the Buckeye state that all we get are quick drop-ins to pick up the checks that candidates cash and spend in places like Ohio.

While in Tampa I learned, in a speech delivered by Governor Chris Christie, a simple, yet profound phrase, "Principled compromise." On my radio program I've talked about our country being built on compromise. Marriages, families, neighborhoods, businesses, none can survive; much less thrive, without compromise.

Is government any different?

Sadly, there are some hard-liners that label compromise a dirty word. I hope our newly elected and re-elected leaders will remember Governor Christie's simple, one word addition that changes everything.

Most importantly, I not only learned but observed first hand, that the sun did indeed come up the morning after the election. My house was still standing and the flags were still flying.

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