by Mike
There is a lot of punditry, propaganda, and excuses floating around about last night’s electoral races. However the read on these contests is not very difficult, let’s take a look.
The importance of the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey should not be undercut in any way, shape, or form. Take New Jersey for instance, which is a significant moral victory for Republicans. You have several visits from a sitting President, whom won the state by 14.7% a year earlier, to the incumbent Governor, John Corzine. A healthy endorsement if there ever was one, even if the state is a solid blue. Nevertheless, the White House arrogantly assumed, once again, that Obama’s people power would overcome Corzine’s negatives. A victory like Christie’s in New Jersey not only shows that to be untrue but that the GOP is not all that dead and deeply viable in Democratic held territory. That is if they are carrying the right message at the right time.
In Virginia, aside from Bob McDonnell vaporizing Creigh Deeds, you also have Republican wins in the Lt. Governor and Attorney General columns. Now, back in November of 2008 President Obama vanquished John McCain 52.7% to 46.4%, a 6.3% difference. Also, Obama was the only Democrat nominee to win Virginia in 60 years. The thought process after the election was that Va., consummate GOP territory, had turned decidedly blue. Evidently, Virginia is a purple state with very strong hues of red.
On the flipside and contrary to what some might have you believe, neither of these races is 100% indicative of a GOP sweep in 2010. What they do provide is the first metric for Republican performance in the mid-terms. It is important to keep in mind that the GOP was demoralized and seemingly on the way out. These two victories not only show that to be the contrary but also serve as a moral boost for Republicans to capitalize on.
The one undebatable fact is what we learned about what is on the mind of the voters. Jobs, jobs, jobs, or in other words, “It’s the economy, stupid.” A drum which we have been beating and pols have been ignoring in favor of agenda driven projects. Although now it seems some of our comrades on the Left have sat up and taken notice after last night’s exit polling reports.
The Hill-In the run-up to the 2010 midterm elections, they don’t want to be forced to vote on climate change, immigration reform and gays in the military, which they say should be set aside so Congress can focus on jobs and the economy.
“It’s hard; the most important issue in front of us is the economy right now, and that’s where most of us really want to stay focused, the economy and jobs, that’s what our constituency is concerned about,” said Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D), who is facing a tough race next year in Arkansas.
Rep. Bob Etheridge (D), a centrist contemplating a run for Senate in North Carolina, helped Democratic leaders in the summer by voting for climate change legislation on the House floor.
He now wants Democratic leaders to narrow their focus on jobs and the economy.
For the GOP there is still some fight left in that dog. The question that remains is how effectively can they direct that fight? For the Democrats it might be time to get over the two A’s: Arrogance and Agendas. Or be doomed to the same wilderness that the Republicans were wandering.
Please Note: I did not mean to ignore the importance of the NY-23 situation. It is just that the topic was a post on to itself and did I want to take anything away from the Va. or NJ analysis. I hope to cover it later tonight.
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