A Republican congressman from Virginia, Tom Davis, made some news last spring by writing a memo suggesting his party needs to "rebrand" itself. The memo contained the fear that the GOP would suffer losses in U.S. House elections that built upon the 30 seats the party lost in 2006.

It was a soul-searching piece of writing, and a prescient one. House Republicans took a another big hit on Tuesday while watching congressional Democrats grow to a majority not seen since 1994.

Mr. Davis, who retired as a representative, offered the Washington Post a post-election assessment of what Republicans need. "They're going to have to be a welcoming party," he said, "not a party that requires an admissions test."

With the White House gone and both houses of Congress with sinking numbers, Republicans have a greater motivation to find their collective heart.

What this means for Northwest Missouri remains to be seen. As Republicans suffered in other congressional districts, Rep. Sam Graves continued to build a consistent record of victories in the Missouri 6th. In the last four elections, his winning margin has been in the 60 percent range. A well-financed Democrat barely moved his number downward on Tuesday.

National Democrats have typically "targeted" the 6th District for its takeover potential, pouring in money for his opposition. It's easy to imagine them seeking more fertile ground for their dollars in the future.

Mr. Graves said he would continue to represent his district to Washington. He has been a dependably conservative vote during his eight years in the capital. The Capitol Hill pendulum, however, has now swung in a leftward direction. The Northwest Missouri Republican says he knows how to work from the minority side, and his staying power might portend greater leadership possibilities within his party.

Mr. Graves' House patron, Rep. Roy Blunt of Southwest Missouri, stepped down Thursday morning as minority whip, the second-ranking Republican position in the House. But Mr. Graves also has a good relationship with Rep. Eric Cantor, the Virginian likely to succeed Mr. Blunt.

Across the river, Lynn Jenkins also brings conservative credentials to her new job as representative of the Kansas 2nd District. That should please the folks in the northeastern corner of the state; Doniphan, Brown and Nemaha counties backed her with majorities of about 60 percent.

If the region seems solidly Republican, Congress has a different appearance. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pointed out Wednesday, her chamber had 203 Democrats just two years and two days before. In the next Congress, Democrats will have membership approaching 260.

Things can change quickly when one party overreaches to its edges. It might made more sense to work in the middle.