Republican congressional victories in two states a rude wake up call for Democrats

Washington, Nov. 4 : Just a year after President Barack Obama swept into the White House, Republican congressional victories in Virginia and New Jersey yesterday came as serious warnings for the Democrats.

The changing political landscape in both states revealed cracks in the Obama 2008 coalition and demonstrated that Republicans have the more energized constituency heading into next year''s midterm elections, The Washington Post reports.

According to exit polls, one key change came among independent voters, who solidly backed Democrats in 2006 and 2008 but moved decisively to the Republicans this year.

In Virginia, independents strongly supported Republican Robert F. McDonnell in his victory over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, while in New Jersey, they supported Republican Chris Christie in his win over Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

Earlier polls had shown that independents were increasingly disaffected with some of Obama''s domestic policies. They had expressed reservations about the president''s health-care efforts and have shown concerns about the growth in government spending and the federal deficit under his leadership.

Tuesday''s elections provided the first concrete evidence that Republicans can win their support with the right candidates and the right messages, the paper said.

Political pundits had been asking whether Democrats could attract the new voters without Obama on the ballot. At least in New Jersey and Virginia, the answer was no, it added.

Another major factor was the economy.

Although Americans blame former president George W. Bush more than Obama for the recession, but if the economic collapse was a powerful force working for Democrats last year, it clearly helped Republicans on Tuesday, the paper concluded.

--ANI