Both contested races for governor fell to the Republican candidates, with Christie winning in New Jersey and McDonnell in Virginia. Doug Hoffman lot in NY-23, however. Still, this should be considered a warning to Democrats – not just because of the wins, but because of the levels of enthusiasm among independents.
Neither gubernatorial election amounted to a referendum on the president, but the changing shape of the electorates in both states and the shifts among key constituencies revealed cracks in the Obama 2008 coalition and demonstrated that, at this point, Republicans have the more energized constituency heading into next year’s midterm elections.
The most significant change came among independent voters, who solidly backed Democrats in 2006 and 2008 but moved decisively to the Republicans on Tuesday, according to exit polls. In Virginia, independents strongly supported Republican Robert F. McDonnell in his victory over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, while in New Jersey, they supported Republican Chris Christie in his win over Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine.
For months, polls have shown that independents were increasingly disaffected with some of Obama’s domestic policies. They have expressed reservations about the president’s health-care efforts and have shown concerns about the growth in government spending and the federal deficit under his leadership.
The Post reports that some exit polling indicates that independents went 2:1 for the Republican in New Jersey. There are very likely going to be quite a few turnovers of seats in the next election. The intensity has shifted.
I think Hoffman would have probably won in NY-23 had the party backed him from the start, incidentally. I hope he’s planning to run again.
The Democrats have ACORN — it is the Republicans who best heed the warning.
Some of us are really pissed that Gingerich and Steele spend millions of _our_ money getting Owens elected.
They might want to have a look at their CVs to see if any updates are in order.
The Hoffman loss was very disheartening. If the polls were correct then there were very few of her remaining supporters that voted for Hoffman. IMO, Owens’ win in a ‘heavily Republican’ district shows that lots of people still have no problem with Obama’s agenda. Gallup had a poll out a day or so ago which essentially said the GOP would retake the House if the general election had been held yesterday. After NY-23, I am not so sure about that. Republican pundits are deluding themselves with the spin that this loss was no big deal.
“Owens’ win in a ‘heavily Republican’ district shows that lots of people still have no problem with Obama’s agenda.”
I think most of those “voting for a change” against their economic interest(and their children’s) are watching PBS and listening to NPR.
They have no idea the path Dear Leader is pursuing. But they do feel the decline and note it’s getting worse. Pants Afire cannot avoid that reality: he’s a miserable failure with no demonstrated upside.
Yeah, the weakness between Amerikkka’s ears is an enduring disappointment, but it’s gut and bowels are starting to rumble.
We are talking NY state here. The state with the largest and most powerful city in the world which whose mayor is a life-ong Democrat-turned social liberal Republican then when the doo-doo hits the fan turns Independent.
The entire political class in the NE Quadrant is schizophrenic, to say the least.
I am impressed that a Conservative Hoffman, CPA who has never run for office, received so many votes in an area run by a politically schizophrenic ruling class.
This is why a Mitt Romney Republican is a bad idea; such Republican is as politically schizophrenic as are all Obama Democrats.