Off-year elections can be notoriously unreliable as predictors of the future, but as a window on how the political landscape may have changed in the year since President Obama won the White House, Tuesday's Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey delivered clear warnings for the Democrats. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins - via Jay Rosen, Memeorandum, Washington Post
Well, it's a good piece, and timely. Though most voters in both states said in exit polls the election was not a referendum on the Democratic president, the result will certainly send a caution to moderate Democrats nationwide concerned about their reelection chances next year. That could deal a blow to Mr. Obama’s ambitious agenda, foremost healthcare reform and energy legislation, amid continuing high unemployment. The bright spot for Democrats, the party’s candidate won the special election for the House seat in New York’s 23rd district, a takeover of a historically Republican seat was also mentioned. I like it for its objectivity, but I feel the tilt, too. Thanks.
