Obviously the big story tonight is that two Republicans took over governorships formerly held by Democrats (New Jersey's Jon Corzine and Virginia's Tom Kaine) less than one year into President Obama's term.
I'm not going to pretend to be extremely knowledgeable on the newly-elected Republican governors of New Jersey and Virginia, Chris Christie and Bob McDonell, respectively. I'm not going to write a diatribe about how they represent a shift back to conservative (i.e. anti-abortion, pro-marriage [whatever that means]) policies.
In Jersey, Christie, who was outspent by more than $12 million by Corzine, trumped an incumbent with the current and former Democratic presidents at his side for many of his campaign stops.
In Virginia, McDonell proved that the growing national profile of Governor Kaine, who doubles as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, couldn't stop him from becoming Virginia's first Republican governor since 2002 in a state that doesn't allow consecutive terms for its chief executive.
But the only stories I'm really interested in are the ones that haven't been written yet.
1) Does this show a return to traditional voter breakdown with fewer African-American and young voters and what will this mean in next year's mid-term elections?
2) Will this be a trigger for the Republican Party to do a more complete search for a legitimate presidential candidate in 2012, sensing an opportunity, or will they rest on their '08 laurels and field the candidates we already know?
I'm going to keep my head down here in Austin, but I'll keep my ears tuned in.
I am consistently disappointed in voter turnouts for LOCAL elections -- in just about every state, city and town.
If I hear one more person's anecdotal opinion about how the POTUS is doing -- good or bad -- from someone who can't name their local city counselor or state rep, I'm going to lose it.
I am noticeably LESS affected in the immediate short term by the POTUS than by my LOCAL representation.
It was remarkable how many people in Boston, Ma didn't even know there was a contentious mayoral election going on yesterday and even more alarming that people don't know we have a special election coming up to replace Ted Kennedy. How do people MISS this stuff!?
I certainly notice when I'm taxed -- I'd like to know who is spending my money and how they're spending it!
WTF!?!? /end soapbox
Posted by: Kristie | November 04, 2009 at 07:43 AM