In the previous two congressional election cycles, Democrats picked up 55 seats on the Republicans. On November 2, Republicans took them all back- plus six more. This indicates a big pendulum swing in American politics. In Massachusetts, Republicans did best in the least powerful positions. The same is true in the Congressional elections, where the Democratic candidates’ margins of victory were huge.
Yet, Republican victories did dramatically alter the political landscape. Republicans won the battle of ideas, but not on the issues they primarily fought. Exit polling indicated voters’ perception that government has become too ineffective and irresponsible. Exit polling demonstrated voters’ disapproval with the stimulus package’s less-than-successful result and the TARP bailout’s effect of further enriching the bankers. The deficit handed to future generations was viewed as another irresponsible act.
The individual races that were won by Democratic incumbents reflected that office holder’s indisputable competency. A highly organized get-out-the-vote ground game was also used by winning Democrats to neutralize the inspiration felt by Republican-choosing voters to “throw the bums out.” Independent voters called more for better government than smaller government. Hence, the lessons of the Republican wins are complex and multi-faceted, not easily chiseled down to a single point.
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