What Does It All Mean?

The midterm election of 2010 is coming to a close with a few more races that are up in the air, although all the toss ups are leaning Democrat.  If you are like me you love elections!  I can still remember my first election back in 2000.  I love election nights it is watching the great American experiment in action.  Nominees can spend however much they want an special interest groups can contribute all they want, but in the end it all comes down to you and me.  It comes down to whether an American is willing to take time out of the day and choose who ever they please.  No one can fully predict the outcome- although Rasmussen has an excellent track record- the results are always determined by the American people.  I love it!  Historic moments are made on those days whether good or bad.  Such as the first Hispanic Gov in New Mexico, the first black president, or an historic upset as a Republican wins in Mass (Scott Brown).  This year the legends of the Democratic party were all in the fight of their lives- what is going to be the results?!


Well the results are in:


SENATE: Retain all Republican seats and gain +6
HOUSE: Republicans take a gain of at least 61 seats and the majority
GOVERNORS: Republicans pick up a gain of 7 more Governors

SENATE       52 D        vs.            47 R

HOUSE       224 R        vs.            167 D

For the House this was the biggest Republican win in over 70 years!  However, the Senate race was a little more tame.  While Republicans did retain all of their previous seats and picked up a gain of six, they didn't fair near as well as the House did.  Why, and what does it mean?  To me there are 2 important factors to look at. 

One, the absolute slaughter by the Republican Party in the House.

Two, that Democrats in CA, CO, NV, WA, DE, WV survived the wave of destruction that obliterated the rest of the Democratic Party this year, which led to holding the Senate- just barely.

This shows that Americans are displeased with the direction the country has taken in the last 2 years.  It also shows that while the Americans want a big change, they are weary about granting too much power to the Republicans.  Local politics seem to all point Republican, but Washington politics (Senate) appears to show a split, and Democrats and liberals still like their favorites, and there is still half the country that agrees with them.  The enigma in all this is where do the independents stand?  Evidently that "wave" isn't quite as big as everyone thought.


 Each of the states (CA, CO, NV, WA, DE, WV) were all well established Democratic Senators, and each of them fought very close races.  The most intriguing out of all of them is Nevada.  The Senate Majority leader, Harry Reid, vs. Tea Party candidate Sharon Angle.  Although most polls had her ahead by a small margin, Senator Reid managed to hold on to his seat.  Sharon Angle won the primary by a surprise "Tea Party" wave.  Nevada is deeply upset about economic conditions.  If anybody from the Tea Party could have rode the wave to victory it was her- or was it?  During this election 3 of the favorite tea party candidates lost to Democrats.  Candidates who were endorsed by Jim DeMint, Sarah, Palin and Mitt Romney.  Many in the Republican Senate or furious at Jim DeMint, because they believe that Republicans could have taken the Senate if it weren't for some of the Tea Party candidates.  

So how did Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, and Jim DeMint do?  Well Romney endorsed a wide range of candidates from Legislatures, Governors, to U.S Reps and Senators.  210 U.S. Reps, 25 Senators, and 30 Governors.  Sarah Palin, a large advocate and symbol of the Tea Party, endorsed 77 candidates.  6 out of 11 won Senate seats, 21 out of 41 won House seats, and 6 out of 11 governors won as well- 3 of those being women for the first time.  All in all that is 49 out 77- not too bad at all at 63%.  Jim DeMint, a stark Conservative and friend of the Tea Party, had 5 out of his 11 Senators win election.  Although many of the high profile candidates of these 3 lost, the majority of their endorsements won, showing that they have become a significant force throughout America.

The Tea Party Movement, which didn't even exist 2 years ago, has made its first advancement into the political system.  With a gain of a handful of governors, 6 Senators, and over 41 U.S. representatives they may play a significant role in legislation and have proven that they are a force to reckon with.  Epilogue: The American people will not except just anybody, if the Tea Party wants to be taken more seriously their candidates need to be chosen with more care.  Only the future can tell us the fate of this new movement.

Where is the Republican party?  Right now it consists of 3 major groups that overlap each other on some issues: The Tea Party, Conservatives, and the Established Republican Party.  The head of the Republicans appears to be John Boehner- the soon to be Speaker of the House.  Will Boehner be able to unite these different factions, and will he be able to pass legislation?  Boehner will also have to decide whether he wants to work with the President or "hold the line" against him.  Right now he comes to Washington armed with his "Pledge to America."


I also think this election marks the change of demographics in Republican politics.  A Hispanic woman one for the first time in New Mexico, and 3 women became governor for the first time in their states, an Indian woman became the first governor of South Carolina, etc...  With new visions like Margret Hoover's and Meghan McCain's, going up against traditional visions like Mitt Romney's and Liz Cheney's.  It will be interesting to see where Hispanics stand as sentiment against illegal immigration grows across America.  Where will women fall in politics?  And what about the black community- with the Republicans making strides with 2 new governors and Michael Steele as the Republican voice things are changing.  2 years ago the party was all but disintegrated and washed up, already they have reformed, rebuild, and re energized.  Which leads us into the the 2012 Presidential election.


Will President Obama be able to get reelected?  Or will the the wave of disappointment wash over him 2 years from now?  Will a gridlock help the Republicans or Democrats, or will Americans get fed up even more?  And if Americans do get fed up, where will they turn?  We still have a two party system.  The Tea Party has managed to infiltrate the Republicans but ultimately faced a few crushing defeats- will they be able to get their agenda through in Washington?  Will they conform to politics or break the mold?  Will their movement be a one time stand in 2010 or will it continue to grow?  We will see, and that is what makes our political system so exciting, in the end you decide our fate.