Elections in Virginia, New Jersey seen as test of Obama's popularity amid recession
Republicans won two victories in big states as voters who sent Barack Obama to the White House turned their backs on Democrats.
The double loss in two crucial governors races Tuesday night will send shock waves through Congress, where wavering Democrats are already worried about passing sweeping health-care changes. Hopes for early passage of the health-care bill had already suffered a setback Tuesday when Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid warned that Congress may not complete the legislation this year.
The loss of the Virginia governorship was expected but losing the New Jersey gubernatorial race was a major upset in a Democrat stronghold where the President had campaigned hard.
Republican challenger Chris Christie pulled ahead of incumbent Jon Corzine in the Democrat stronghold of New Jersey, and was called the victor by several television networks about 10:30 p.m. last night.
Mr. Obama had staked a lot on New Jersey, making repeated visits to the state, including high-profile campaign appearances with his friend Mr. Corzine last weekend. The Democrat loss there will be felt more bitterly among Democrat faithful In New Jersey, as in Virginia, exit polls showed the pivotal bloc of self-described Independent voters who were vital in Mr. Obama’s triumph a year ago deserted the Democrat governor in droves and backed Mr. Christie.
The handful of off-year elections decided last night may have little significance in terms of any real reflection of voters’ views on the President’s performance but will, nonetheless, be touted by his critics as evidence that tough political realities have returned.
“The winds are changing … now it is the Republicans that are energized," said David Gergen, an adviser to four presidents and a political commentator.
Mr. Gergen said the results shouldn’t be seen as a rebuff of Mr. Obama but did signal widespread voter discontent over some issues.
This “may have a real impact on how moderate Democrats vote in on health care in the coming weeks," Mr. Gergen said.
Republican Bob McDonnell’s victory in Virginia, where Mr. Obama became the first Democrat presidential candidate to take the state in four decades, will buoy Republican hopes of rebuilding their party after Mr. Obama’s sweeping and history victory.
Although Mr. Obama had barely campaigned for Democrat Creigh Deeds, the loss in Virginia may serve as a warning to Democrats facing re-election next year as independents voted overwhelmingly for Mr. McDonnell.
Voter turnout was way down in Virginia. “This electorate was a lot older and a lot whiter" than last November, Democrat strategist James Carville said on CNN. Without Mr. Obama’s galvanizing ability to get African-Americans and young people to the polls, the Democrats lost badly. “In 2010, if we cannot bring some of those people back into the fold, we will have another bad election night," Mr. Carville predicted.
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