Tuesday’s election results and comments shed some interesting light on voter sentiment that outshined whether Republicans or Democrats took the reins from the other party.
Republican victories in key states Virginia and New Jersey shifted the political territory against the Democrats and their leader, President Obama.
Less than a year after Obama’s election, Republicans took back Virginia’s top office after eight years of Democratic rule, electing former Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
Eight years ago, Democrat Mark Warner was elected Virginia’s governor, benefiting from dissension in the Republican ranks, and promises not to raise taxes. Restricted by Virginia’s Constitution against consecutive terms, he left office with a 71% approval rating.
His Lieutenant Governor, Tim Kaine, who promised to continue the policies of his predecessor, succeeded him. He is now the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
McDonnell had defeated his Democratic rival Creigh Deeds in 2005, for the Virginia office of Attorney General. That race was close and Deeds filed for a recount that confirmed McDonnell had won.
He won again Tuesday based mainly on his position as a bipartisan conciliator focused on job creation and economic growth.
Did the Republican victory mean a change in political sentiment for Virginia? Or was the more powerful candidate elected for his accomplishments and platform that identified what the citizens want.
In New Jersey, incumbent Democrat Jon S. Corzine lost the top office to Chris Christie after a term that included a government shutdown over a budget dispute with legislators, cutting programs, decreasing funding to colleges, lost time in office due to a speeding accident, and a controversial toll increase plan for fundraising rejected by voters, along with other unpopular financial moves.
The governor’s speeding accident prompted voters to provide for a Lieutenant Governor to serve in the Governor’s absence.
Christie ran on a pledge to clean up corruption, not to raise taxes and to spur growth in the state’s manufacturing sector as well as increase production of alternative energy.
In New York’s upstate 23rd Congressional district, Democrat Bill Owens beat out third-party conservative Doug Hoffman after the Republican candidate Dierdre Scozzafava pulled out of the race and threw her support to Democrat Owens.
The district has been represented by Republicans since 1873.
Owens platform included the creation of jobs in his district, and ensuring Fort Drum (with a population of more than 12,000 military personnel) is preserved.
What conclusions can we draw from these contests? In all contests, voters were concerned with jobs and the economy.
A Virginia voter said, “I think there are a lot of questions about whether [the country] is going in the right direction. Obama’s slogan last year was change, but I think it’s changed a little too much and needs to change back the other way a bit.”
The Democratics won the election in 2008 as the party of hope and change. With a discontented electorate growing hardened to those promises, Republicans are now positioning themselves as the real party of change.
Chris Chocola, president of the Club for Growth, drew this conclusion: “When Republicans stand up for pro-growth policy, fiscal responsibility, and economic conservatism unapologetically, and reflect their district on social issues, they win.”
Another aspect to Tuesday’s election is that young voters and minorities who were such a Democratic force in 2008, stayed home in droves (more than 3 million in Virginia and New Jersey alone), leaving victories at the polls to older voters, many of them Republicans.
One Virginia college student seemed to capture the mood of non-voters when she said she did not bother to vote in the election because the candidates didn’t give her anything to get excited about.
Exit polls showed about 60 percent of voters in both states said their feelings about the President were not a factor in their choice.
Finally, voters seem to advocate independence, rather than vote strict party lines for issues chosen by a political machine. Independents are performance-based and their numbers are growing.
They could be the nucleus of a new political party, but probabaly wouldn’t vote along those party lines either. But those voters will be a growing force to judge political performance.
And they will vote out the ins who do not take action and make things happen.
Thank you for sharing this information with the world. I can appreciate how much research you did on this topic and you really came through with valid points of interest.
Thanks a lot! I really enjoyed reading this. It makes me want to create my own blog.
More often that not I read articles where the writer has not proofread their content. You either have a proofreader or you do it yourself because I couldn’t find a mistake in it. Great information.
Motivating blog
This article is very appealing to thinking people like me. It’s not only thought-provoking, it draws you in from the beginning. This is well-written content. The views here are also appealing to me. Thank you.
I feel for writers and the work they have to do for quality writing. You have obviously done a lot of work on this. Your writing style makes this interesting.
What a pleasure to find such well-written content online. I’m sitting at my kitchen table surfing the Net and there your article was dragging me in with it’s tractor beam.
I feel more enlightened on this topic after reading your article. Your content is fascinating, persuasive and thought-provoking. I just wish I were good with words like you so I could express my appreciation better.
I suppose I could pose questions about your article, but since it’s so clear I guess I’ll just make a comment. I think this information is well-written, useful and interesting.
I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business.
this is such a good article to read. Stimulating me to read more of your articles. Keep up the good work Hoping more excellent articles from you soon.
Thank you for writing and sharing this informative article. You are apparently very knowledgeable in this area and I have found this to be interesting and intelligent reading. Good job.
You covered this idea rather well. Your ideas have caused me to rethink some of my personal views on this subject. You have a persuasive way of writing. Thank you.
You have written an amazing article with many valid, unique points that are interesting and thought-provoking. It excites me to read informative content written by a writer who is so obviously knowledgeable in this area.
Amazing stuff.
Whatever you’re doing to write this content, keep it up. Your writing is interesting and I think you’re right on track with your views. I know you put a lot of effort into your work.
I am pleasingly surprised that given such a broad subject you managed to present us with some fresh, useful and interesting ideas to help us grow further in our knowledge.
Thank you for writing and formatting this article so well. It has really given my brain a boost. I agree with much of this info.
this is very nice article and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article
The points you make in this content are very clear, interesting and informative. I agree with several points here. Please continue these articles as they are very engaging. Great job!
Wow really a great post. I like this.I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that .Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read an article like yours with so much interesting content. I love your thoughts. I’m waiting for your next article with great anticipation.
While reading the article, I could envision the writer sitting alone thinking. I can tell that you worked very hard on this article. Thank you.
Content like this is a good example of properly written informational material It’s easy to read and the points are stated in an intelligent way.
This is the kind of article I love to find. I am extremely impressed with how well you researched this material. I think this is solid information and I agree.
What can I say about your article? Well, it’s well-written for one thing, and I found it interesting which is a little unusual for me.
I am impressed with your viewpoints in this article. You have stated your points with style and intelligence. I have to agree with most of your information in this content.
Good informative content is written to target the thinking person. This content is brain-challenging yet straightforward. The viewpoints are written with a lot of thought and prep work behind them.
Your article is splendid. I’ve really enjoyed reading it and reviewing the points you’ve made. Thank you for presenting this useful information in an easy to read and understand format.
Your article is brilliant. The points you make are valid and well represented. I have read other articles like this but they paled in comparison to what you have here.
Hullo! I’m in a hurry today. I just want to throw a remark on this blog. I’ve found your site to be a great source for my coming test. I have also subscribed to your feed, and I plan to come back in the weekend to see more.
Informative articles can make for long drawn out reading, but you have made yours interesting. This is very good informational content with many great points of interest. I like it. Keep up the great writing.
Completely understand what your stance in this matter. Although I would disagree on some of the finer details
It is one thing to speak your mind in person, and quite another to put things in writing. You’ve Succeeded in making this topic easily understandable, interesting and easy to read.
This is the most unique article I have read in quite some time. Thank you for presenting your points and providing this information. I have learned something about this topic.
I would be interested to know how long it took you to pump out this information. I think it’s great. I completely agree and you are very insightful. Thank you.
Rather than produce the same old content you have taken this subject to a whole new level . Kudos for not following the standard writing crowd.
I hope this is only the beginning of this unique information. I like your writing style. I would read anything you wrote based on this.
The ability to put thoughts into words is something you seem to have down pat. I found this article interesting and informative from start to finish. I have this bookmarked.
Your article has tickled my fancy. I wanted to say something different than other readers. I really have enjoyed reading your article and think you have a lot of good thoughts. Thanks for this content.
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
This is very good work. You have done a lot of homework on this topic and it certainly shows in the way you have represented your material. I enjoyed this article and appreciate your viewpoints.
It’s encouraging to see writing like this online. I respect the work you do and the effort you have to put into getting this kind of material ready to write.
Great post! Nice!
I can appreciate great writing when I read it. This is truly great writing. You make valid and interesting points that you have presented in a unique way. This is an excellent high quality article.
I found this content engaging and informative. Thank you for the hard work you put into researching this article. I can appreciate the effort it takes to make this kind of information interesting and unique.
I think you did an awesome job explaining it. Sure beats having to research it on my own. Thanks
Thank you for such a well thought out method of informational writing. I have had to start thinking outside the box on the fresh information that you have posted here.
The quality of this informative article is very high. This can only mean your own standards are set at a very high level. Please, continue your work in this area.
I am the kind of person that likes to show appreciation for great writing. I thank you for writing this and making it so interesting.