The time between Election Day and the swearing in of new political leaders is a time of opportunity for both winners and losers. Much is expected of the winners and speculation about the futures of the losers abounds.

Certainly the tea party movement proved to be a force nationally. Its impact in Connecticut was muted. The Republican Party is the beneficiary of this grass-roots movement as far as taking control of the House of Representatives. Polls indicate, however, the Republican Party brand is still very low.

What is clear is that with nearly 10 percent unemployment, a feckless foreign policy and a health care law garnering ever decreasing public support, President Obama and the Democratic Party agenda has been rejected.

Now that the Republicans have control of the House and gains in the Senate they need to deliver. The party of "no" needs to become the party of results. At a minimum Republicans need to become more specific about how to address the deficit and turn the economy around.

Republicans missed an opportunity when they chose not to endorse President Obama's deficit budget commission austerity plan. The plan, which calls for huge cuts in social programs and defense, along with some tax increases and raising the retirement age, is tough but fair.

The Republicans should have taken the draft plan and introduced it as legislation concurrently in the House and Senate. It would have laid down a marker and forced Democrats and the White House to offer alternatives. It wouldn't have passed in a lame duck session but once the next Congress took office the Republicans would be shaping the agenda.

Instead the party of "no" said no to meeting with the president and declared through their leaders that their No. 1 goal is defeating President Obama in 2012. It's a losing strategy.

In Connecticut the biggest winner was Gov.-elect Dan Malloy. For the first time since rotary phones, not quite but close, the Connecticut Democratic Party has won the governor's seat.

Democratic legislative leaders like Senate President Don Williams can barely contain their glee at the prospect of having all the levers of power at their disposal. Be careful of what you wish.

Unlike the boom times that Gov. John Rowland walked into, the Democrats face a $4 billion deficit. The choice for Gov. Malloy is clear. Will he choose to be a leader or just popular? Our current governor remains popular. The results speak for themselves.

If in 12 months Gov. Malloy's poll numbers are in the low 40s, leadership will have won. All indications are that the Malloy team is serious about governing.

As the Malloy administration begins its reign, look for the following eight words to strike fear into every state employee from the governor's chambers to the most remote Department of Environmental Protection outpost. "Lt. Gov. Wyman is here to see you."

Lt. Gov.-elect Nancy Wyman has been state comptroller since 1994. Wyman knows government and can't be fooled. The days of simply presiding over the Senate for the lieutenant governor are gone. Look for this Brooklyn, N.Y., native to be omnipresent in carrying forth policy.

The biggest loser was certainly the McMahon for Senate campaign. After spending $50 million, Linda McMahon could garner only 44 percent of the vote. For the better part of two years McMahon told voters she was "something different" and that she wanted to change Washington. To do that you need to win.

If McMahon wants to help herself and the Republican Party win, she should become state Republican Party chairwoman. No one doubts her work ethic and desire to help. As chair she could build a dormant party in a state in need of a balance to the Democratic sweep. She would also gain national attention and build her political skills and connections. Nothing would prevent her from being chair for a time and then deciding to run for office - 2012 is just around the corner.

Ben Davol is a veteran of numerous local, state and federal political campaigns. Once a Republican organizer, he is now registered as unaffiliated.