Dear Readers: I am sure everyone has in the Tea Party/Tax Revolt movement has an opinion on last nights election results. I wanted to add my 2 denarii to the opinion swarm, by offering a news round-up of posts that highlight my views (and as I had the rare opportunity to analyze the results with my sweetie this morning, I will share his thoughts as well). I hope you enjoy the links.
I think the vote in Virgina, which was a Republican blow-out in a state that Obama took last year, clearly shows Obama’s charms have faded considerably. Horemheb, my beloved husband, also says this — and is in agreement with our admired Patron, Instapundit (both men prove to be highly accurate pundits). Instapudit’s post is here: The Obama magic has faded.
Horehemeb also notes that it seems that the youth and minority vote failed to show, allowing the results to be decided by more traditionally consistent voters. Dick Morris had the most optimistic take on the returns: A Deathblow for ObamaCare. I certainly hope he is right! Mut’s Money Quote, outlining why the VA results has the post impact:
But Virginia results are the most important. More than 80 Democratic congressmen and twenty senators come from …areas.. that John McCain carried in 2008. For them, the sudden switch in Virginia, a swing state that Obama actually carried, heralds tough political times ahead.
New Jersey is the quintessential blue state. If it goes Republican, blue state congressmen needn’t worry. Their districts are likely still safe. But when a Republican in Virginia wins by 20 points, it sends a message to red-state Democratic congressmen to take cover.
Horemheb also noted that voters, especially Independents such as himself, are most focused on fiscal conservatism. Michael Barone concurs, especially in his piece reviewing the results and focusing on New Jersey. His piece, Lessons from the 2009 election results, has this Money Quote:
From the 1996 election up through and including 2008., affluent counties in the East, Midwest and West have trended Democratic, largely through distaste for the religious and cultural conservatives whom voters there have seen (not without reason) as dominant in the Republican party. Now, with the specter of higher tax rates and a vastly expanded public sector, they may be—possibly—headed in the other direction. An interesting trend to watch.
I must admit, I got greedy last night. Once Christie won in New Jersey (congrats to the new Governor), I thought we had the TRIFECTA! However, it was not meant to be. However, I think the New Jersey victory was the bigger win by far (especially as Obama campaigned heavily there, and the the GOP taking the Governorship of a Blue State is the bigger repudiation of big-state nanny governments). So, if I could only have two of the three, VA and NJ are aces.
Ann Althouse, who resides in an area adjacent to NY-23 and has a better feel for the place, has a great review of why Owens won: After all that, why didn’t Doug Hoffman win? Mut’s Money Quote:
Owens, by contrast, is big and rugged-looking. He’s an Air Force veteran and he has that military solidity, calm and self-possession. He seems like a country guy, and this is a rural district. He presented himself as a centrist. On the human level, Owens is the kind of person voters around here feel comfortable with. Hoffman’s not. Neither was Scozzafava.
Don Surber notes this reason for the Hoffman failure, which I think is probably the most significant one: In choosing Democrat Bill Owens over Conservative Doug Hoffman, perhaps the people of the district were telling outsiders to butt out.
Thanks Virgina and New Jersey. I believe your votes will help us stop the big government take-over of the healthcare industry, prevent the passage of Cap-and-Trade, and will underscore the importance of fiscal conservatism and free-market capitalism for the elections next year.
Here is a quote from American author Napoleon Hill to leave as a parting thought:
“Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.”
Nice roundup. Link forthcoming.