I wanted to wait until after all the numbers had come in to talk about the recent elections. Many are saying that the election results are the beginning of the end for Obama. The Republicans have pushed out their talking heads prematurely claiming a shift in their favor. Remember, the devil is always in the details. The devil in this case are the numbers, the voters, who showed up to vote. The exit polling is problematic for both Republicans and Democrats.

VIRGINIA NUMBERS:(CNN Exit Polling)

24% Health Care reform concerns
15% Taxes
7% Transportation issues-Local
56% Obama NOT a factor
10% was 18-29 and Republicans captured 54% for their vote
10% Turn out of African-American Voters !!- This is awful
18% Stated that their vote was in support of President
24% stated that their vote was in opposition of the President
51% Current Presidents approval ratings...same if and close to election day a year ago.

Democratic candidate (Deeds) was behind 10% points prior to elections.
Deeds had flip-flopped on a tax question and had a poor performance at the debates.

Historical trend in Governors seat; has changed after every election since Clinton to the opposite party that just won the White House. This happen with Bush -43 also.

NEW JERSEY:

26% Property Taxes-Local
20% Corruption -Local
9% age 18-29 and Republicans Captured 36% of their vote
60% of Independent voters supported Republican Christie
14% Turn out of African-American Voters!! This is awful

19% Stated that their vote was in support of President
20% stated that their vote was in opposition of the President
57% Current Presidents approval ratings...same if and close to election day a year ago.

Democratic Candidate (Corzine) Approval ratings was in the low 30-40 since Mid 2008. The state had many financial problems and high property taxes.


The election results in these to states were clearly known prior to election night and not unforeseen. The change was more determined by local issues and not the President.

However, there are lessons to be learned for both Parties. First, the Democrats need to pay attention to how the Independents voters voted. It appears that they are basically putting the Democrats' on a verbal warning, things need to get better or we will take your power away. Democrats need to show the Independent voters that they did not make a mistake in 2008 and that you can work together, turn the economy around, create jobs and pass health care reform. Democrats, you will not be successful at mid-term elections if you cannot get the young voters to turnout as well as people of color your mid-term election hopes are damned. Your future lies with them, don't forget that!!

Secondly, the Republicans need to find a National Leader other than Rush Limbaugh. If you are going to play obstructionist you need to find and articulate spokesperson that at a minimum can state what you want to do for the nation instead of what you don't like about Obama. We are willing to follow (almost) anyone who can effectively lead us out of this mess. While keeping in mind how we actually got here!