A week ago, I wrote that voters were about to send President Obama a loud and clear message in Virginia. It appears they have sent that message in deep blue New Jersey as well. It is probably not a clean sweep as Hoffman is losing in NY-23. However, I would submit that beating Corzine is a bigger signal and we get another crack at NY-23 in a year. And the margin in the Virginia race is something to behold. More ominous for Democrats,
The Associated Press exit polls showed that nearly a third of voters in Virginia described themselves as independents, and nearly as many in New Jersey did. They preferred McDonnell by almost a 2-1 margin over Deeds in Virginia, and Christie over Corzine by a similar margin.
And they even picked up on the fact that Obama had campaigned actively for both Deeds and Corzine despite spin to the contrary,
The president had personally campaigned for Deeds and Corzine, seeking to ensure that independents and base voters alike turned out even if he wasn't on the ballot. Thus, the losses were blots on Obama's political standing to a certain degree and suggested potential problems ahead as he seeks to achieve his policy goals, protect Democratic majorities in Congress and expand his party's grip on governors' seats next fall.
Perhaps the "Blue Dogs" will get the message as well. The next year ought to be interesting. I for one, welcome the return of fiscal conservatism.
