Anomalies or Glimpse of the Future?
As I write this, it looks like the Republicans stand to pick up a couple of governorships and a few congressional seats in the wake of elections held in some corners of America. CNN has a nice breakdown of the day's significant ballot action here.
Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, told CNN, "Right now it looks like Republicans and conservatives are angry and energized to vote in the midterms next year."
CNN also quoted House Minority Leader John Boehner:
"We're in the middle, I think, of a political rebellion going on in America... and this rebellion is by people who really have not been actively involved in the political process and they don't really care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. They want to see people who are going to stand up and protect the future for our kids and grandkids."
Look for conservatives to declare that a handful of GOP victories in an off-year election equals public displeasure with the Obama Administration – all 9 and a half months of it. Perhaps the Democrats have rested on its laurels a bit in the wake of last year's elections (of course, they will dismiss today's events as of little overall significance), or perhaps voter anger has everybody wanting to throw out the proverbial bums. As usual, there is no shortage of things to be angry about.
But I am curious about why voters would rush to restore to power the party and ideology that left America in the shamble that it is in.
Comments
Well, they haven't restored the Republicans to power on a national level; nothing even close to that. The two congressional seats that were up for grabs went to Democrats. The Republican wins, while not insignificant, were state and local wins. In fact, the NY-23 seat that Tea Baggers were most focused on went to a Democrat...for the first time since the 1800s. Dems actually increased their majority in the House by two more votes last night.
I think the biggest story here is the sweep Republicans made in Virginia. That certainly doesn't bode well.
Posted by: Derek Phillips | November 4, 2009 3:02 PM
I was suprised to discover this morning that NY-23 went Dem. Off-year and special elections are always a bit goofy; there is rarely the kind of energy that you have in a Presidential election year.
My sense is that these races had a lot to do with state/local politics and aren't really broader measures of Americans' moods. But that sentiment wouldn't make for good television, would it?
Posted by: Jude | November 4, 2009 5:18 PM
"But I am curious about why voters would rush to restore to power the party and ideology that left America in the shamble that it is in."
Why did they re-elect George W? Why do they do anything?
Electing Obama didn't do much to restore my faith in the common sense of the American people. At best, US voters seem lazy and ill-informed; at worst they're simply idiots.
Posted by: Mixmaster Shecky | November 9, 2009 1:46 PM
Well, yeah, there's that...
Posted by: Jude | November 10, 2009 5:22 PM