The Republican rout sweeping Democrats out of power in Congress effectively sends Barack Obama’s presidency to a screeching halt and drastically alters the political landscape — including the 2016 White House battle.
Obama had said he wanted the election to be a referendum on his policies, and it was — much to the dismay of the president and fellow Democrats. Republicans rolled up U.S. Senate wins in places like Iowa, Virginia, West Virginia and Arkansas, kicking Democrats and Harry Reid out of their majority perch.
This was a personally devastating blow for Obama, whose low approval ratings appeared to be a big reason for Democratic losses, and he will likely get much of the blame from his own party for the poor showing.
Voters sent a clear signal they were unhappy with Obama and Democratic incumbents in general.
“It was a good year to be unopposed,” Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) said in an interview with Boston Herald Radio.
Republican gains mean that Obama will have very little clout in Congress and be virtually powerless to pass any of his agenda without offering major compromises to the GOP.
After the Republican rout, Democrats last night were already urging the White House and their party to shift gears and focus more on economic issues and jobs.
“I want us to go back to focusing and giving the message that made me a Democrat. That’s economic policies,” Capuano said. The Massachusetts congressman downplayed GOP gains in Congress, saying even with a GOP takeover that lawmakers would have to compromise to get any legislation passed.
The end of the midterm election season last night also marks the beginning of the coming presidential campaign and will give Republicans more hope of taking back the White House in 2016.
(Excerpt) Read more at bostonherald.com ...
