States such as Arkansas, Georgia and Montana took the red eye in last month’s election, returning Republicans to majorities in the Senate and House for the first time in eight years—a time when George W. Bush found his popularity much in the same hole that Barack Obama finds his own presidency.
By many accounts, November’s midterm elections were about a president spiraling downward and an economy that is only degrees better. In Senate races, especially in red and purple states, Republicans put centrist Democrats on the defense, casting the likes of Arkansas Democrat Mark Pryor and even Mark Warner of Virginia as partisans in Obama’s agenda.
While the new Senate awaits a runoff race for the seat held by Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu and potential recounts in Virginia and Alaska, elephants will romp through the Senate with at least 53 seats. In the House, Republicans padded their majority status by at least another 10 seats.
With the presidential elections just two years away, the next 24 months should be very interesting, with gridlock padlocking Congressional doors or important compromises being fashioned to demonstrate to voters that the Beltway isn’t completely broken.
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