At the 1952 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson, who was drafted as his party's standard-bearer, told the convention that when the tumult and shouting ended, when the bands were gone and the lights were dimmed, there would be the stark reality of responsibility.

"Let's talk sense to the American people! Let's tell them the truth, that there are no gains without pains," he said.

While that message wasn't heard in the just-completed campaign, Americans must face the fact that there will be pain if the new political configuration in Washington, D.C., is to accomplish anything significant.

And, long overdue in Washington is a spirit of bipartisan cooperation focused on solving the country's many problems, rather than merely blocking the opposing party's efforts.

Congressman-elect Mike Kelly of Butler, who unseated incumbent 3rd District Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper on Tuesday, acknowledged the "big job ahead of us."

It is to be hoped that Kelly, although being among those at the bottom of the House seniority ladder, will nonetheless be a strong voice for cooperation and real accomplishment when he assumes his congressional role.

As a businessman, he is keenly aware of the issues that are affecting the nation on the domestic front. And, while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the nation's dealings on the international front will be eye-opening for him, he has the intelligence and reasoning to work with not only his congressional colleagues, but also with the Obama administration, to address those issues.

Kelly can be a great congressman if he keeps politics and his responsibility to the nation and its people in proper perspective. He should steer clear of being a "yes" man when that would work against the best interests of getting the country back on the right track.

That doesn't imply that everything that the Obama administration has done — or sought to do over the past two years — is wrong. Kelly should promote independent thinking and should encourage a more positive mind-set on Capitol Hill.

He should acknowledge that not everything supported by those on the opposite side of the political aisle is bad and should be rejected — no matter what is said on the campaign trail.

Not only Kelly, but all members of the new Congress, must admit that much work needs to be done to repair public trust in the political system.

Unfortunately, this is a time when many Americans are disgusted with both parties, in part because of their inability to compromise as well as many lawmakers' loyalty to special interests and the penchant for uncontrolled spending.

"We've been given a second chance and a golden opportunity," said Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the number two Republican in the House. "People want to see results."

That's especially true on the employment front.

So, the stage has been set for another new era of federal governance, and Butler County should be proud that Mike Kelly, one of its own, will have the opportunity to help make it a productive and, hopefully, prosperous, era.

Kelly knows that the task is to make Washington work better.

Kelly merits confidence in his ability to help achieve that — knowing full well that one man or one political party can't do that alone.

In 2012, the voters again will have the opportunity to judge the achievements of those with whom they have entrusted their support and confidence.

The stark reality of responsibility referred to by Stevenson has reared its head for Kelly and those others charged with carrying this nation forward, rather than backward.