11/3/2009: A Massive GOP Fail

[devilgrrl]

You have to love the so-called liberal media:

A Republican Party left for dead by many in the wake of recent Democratic landslides sprang back to life Tuesday with wins in hotly contested races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey.

For twenty years, the party that controls the White House has lost the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey; that the pattern is holding steady this year really isn’t anything for Republicans — or the media — to crow about. Of course, Republicans are desperate so it’s not a surprise that they’re trying to spin these wins as “signs” that the GOP is rising from the asses. Er, ashes.

Then you have the following facts that should put a damper on the Republican Party’s victory dance (but won’t, because the media is pro-GOP and the GOP isn't reality-based):
-- The GOP has spent the summer frightening senior citizens into hating Obama and the Democratic Party.

-- Senior citizens always vote in greater numbers on off-year elections than the general populace; turn-out this election — particularly among the young voters who helped Obama win in 2008 — was low (meaning seniors had more influence this year than last year and therefore rendered county baselines moot).

-- New Jersey governor John Corzine was blamed for problems actually caused by the Bush Recession — problems he couldn’t do much to solve, let alone solve within his impatient electorate’s time-frame. His loss is not a repudiation of Obama but a temper tantrum by low-information voters — voters who will also have unrealistic expectations of Chris Christie. Christie — being a Republican — will wreck the joint. If Jersey thought it had it bad now, it ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

-- Bill Owens won NY-23 — beating a right-wing extremist and becoming the first non-right-wing candidate to win the district since 1871. Great job, Michael Steele; you couldn’t even hold a district that has voted for YOUR party for 138 years.

more: http://open.salon.com/blog/ryking/2009/11/04/1132009_a_massive_gop_fail

[emulatorloo]

1. Good article. I will be linking to your post throughout the day. n/t

[FBaggins]

2. A reasonable spin... but not terribly compelling.

that the pattern is holding steady this year really isn’t anything for Republicans

Which hasn't stopped both parties from "crowing" each time it happens. The reason this year is still a concern, however, is the margins of victory. All we care about is the gain/loss of a seat... an 18% loss is no different than a 1% loss... but there really is a difference.

New Jersey governor John Corzine was blamed for problems actually caused by the Bush Recession

This is absolutely true.

The problem is... so what? What keeps other Democrats from also being blamed for Bush's recession? Election-impacting economic data (read "unemployment") isn't likely to improve in time for the election.

Making things tougher is the fact that next year isn't a WH election... it's just Congress. And we controlled Congress before Bush's recession occurred. It's an easier sell for them (regardless of whether that's fair).

turn-out this election — particularly among the young voters who helped Obama win in 2008 — was low

Yes... and what compelling reason will there be for turnout to improve among young voters next year? The President won't be on the ticket to provide a draw.

[BolivarianHero]

3. An example of last night's epic GOP fail...

http://elections.nytimes.com/2009/results/upstate.html

Albany

Candidate Party Votes Pct.

Gerald Jennings Dem. 9,832 63.2% Incumbent

Corey Ellis W.F. 4,595 29.5

Nathan Lebron Rep. 1,127 7.2

*golf claps*

EPIC WIN!

[devilgrrl]

4. kick

:kick: