The near-domination of the Republicans in 2009 just a year following the Obama presidential victory is both stunning, and for Democrats, possible foretelling of things to come.
The Virginia Republican victory was expected weeks ago - what was not expected was the overhwhelming landslide in favor of the Republican candidate. This is a state that voted for Obama by a comfortable margin - and now returns a Republican to the governor's mansion by a nearly 20-point margin.
Even more remarkable was the underdog win of Chris Christie as New Jersey's newest Republican governor. Outspent by a 3 to 1 margin by multi-millionaire incumbent John Corzine, the Christie victory was stunning - and even more frightening to Democrats than even their loss in Virginia. Obama expended considerable political capital in the New Jersey race, declaring Corzine his friend and ally, making no less than five personal visits leading up to election day. It appears whatever Obama was selling, the traditionally Democrat state of New Jersey was no longer buying, with Independents moving strongly in favor of the Republican Christie. New Jersey voted for Obama in 2008 by a 15-point margin. The Christie win represents a nearly 20 point swing agains the Democrats just a year later.
The NY23 miracle fell short for Conservatives, though the trajectory of Hoffman as unknown underdog to legitimate contender within weeks of Election Day is a telling indicator of just how powerful the grassroots conservative movement has become in recent months - and how much influence these Conservatives will wield heading into
2010. The loss of a much smaller congressional regional compaign is lessened greatly by the far more crucial state wide victories for Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey. And this same district will see another election next year - look for a far more conservative Republican candidate to be put into place once again.
And let us not forget the repudiation by Maine voters of the same sex marriage law. Yet another telling indicator of a nation leaning conservate yet again - even in a state that voted for Obama by a 17-point margin.
Now we have moderate Democrats across the nation who are sitting in districts or states that voted McCain in 2008. These are the political figures who are most nervous for the upcoming 2010 election cycle. It will be this fear that will now work strongly against Obama's up-to-this-point, aggressive liberal-progressive agenda. Nancy Pelosi now faces a House Democrat mutiny, and Harry Reid hopes to maintain some semblance of control in the less volatile, but no less concerned, Democrat controlled Senate - to say nothing of his own re-election hopes.
2010 is gonna be interesting...
The Virginia Republican victory was expected weeks ago - what was not expected was the overhwhelming landslide in favor of the Republican candidate. This is a state that voted for Obama by a comfortable margin - and now returns a Republican to the governor's mansion by a nearly 20-point margin.
Even more remarkable was the underdog win of Chris Christie as New Jersey's newest Republican governor. Outspent by a 3 to 1 margin by multi-millionaire incumbent John Corzine, the Christie victory was stunning - and even more frightening to Democrats than even their loss in Virginia. Obama expended considerable political capital in the New Jersey race, declaring Corzine his friend and ally, making no less than five personal visits leading up to election day. It appears whatever Obama was selling, the traditionally Democrat state of New Jersey was no longer buying, with Independents moving strongly in favor of the Republican Christie. New Jersey voted for Obama in 2008 by a 15-point margin. The Christie win represents a nearly 20 point swing agains the Democrats just a year later.
The NY23 miracle fell short for Conservatives, though the trajectory of Hoffman as unknown underdog to legitimate contender within weeks of Election Day is a telling indicator of just how powerful the grassroots conservative movement has become in recent months - and how much influence these Conservatives will wield heading into
2010. The loss of a much smaller congressional regional compaign is lessened greatly by the far more crucial state wide victories for Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey. And this same district will see another election next year - look for a far more conservative Republican candidate to be put into place once again.
And let us not forget the repudiation by Maine voters of the same sex marriage law. Yet another telling indicator of a nation leaning conservate yet again - even in a state that voted for Obama by a 17-point margin.
Now we have moderate Democrats across the nation who are sitting in districts or states that voted McCain in 2008. These are the political figures who are most nervous for the upcoming 2010 election cycle. It will be this fear that will now work strongly against Obama's up-to-this-point, aggressive liberal-progressive agenda. Nancy Pelosi now faces a House Democrat mutiny, and Harry Reid hopes to maintain some semblance of control in the less volatile, but no less concerned, Democrat controlled Senate - to say nothing of his own re-election hopes.
2010 is gonna be interesting...
