In a followup piece to his preview of US Elections ’09, Paul Elgood updates us on the results of yesterdays voter ballots across America.
Somewhat predictably President Obama got a wake-up call last night in the 3rd November elections. Attention focused on a handful of contests, most notably for the Virginia and New Jersey Governor’s Mansions. Both unsurprisingly went to the Republicans – in Virginia by a wide margin, closer in New Jersey.
However, it wasn’t all bad news for the Democrats. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg got an unexpected tougher ride, with a far closer than anticipated win. The mega-rich Independent, who spend record sums on his unprecedented third re-election bid in the city only beat his Democrat challenger by 5 percentage points.
New York state’s 23rd Congressional District saw the Democrats narrowly win by 2 points. The election was called after sitting Republican John McHugh resigned to become Secretary to the Army. I won’t bore you with the saga between the Republicans and Conservatives in the seat. The Democrats held onto the left-leaning 10th District in California for the House of Representatives.
In other cities, Atlanta will see a run-off in December. Boston’s incumbent Mayor Thomas Menino captured an unprecedented fifth term and extended the longest mayoral reign in the city’s history. Miami saw voters embrace a slower paced choice for Mayor.
In Maine voters rejected a same-sex marriage proposition.
No question, a wake-up call for Obama, just a year after his historic win – but results far from devastating and which the White House will seek to quickly put behind them.
5 Comments
I thought they voted for the same sex marriage ban in Maine? (Sadly)
Interesteing debate going on on the liberal blogs about whether the bad results are a problem for Obama or for the Blue Dogs. Current polling in Virginia suggests that Obama would still win the state if it polled now, but their candidate who is one of those getting in the way of health care reform, did badly.
Whatever the results in these gubernatorial elections there are still estimates of 40-70 million Americans, with none or inadequate health cover, under the present unequal privatised system.
The least off Americans deserve a better deal on access to health care..
Hi Neil – yes thats what I mean, but I guess not clearly written! Paul
I am sceptical as to how much of a setback this is.
In NY-23, which has been solidly Republican for decades, it is a big deal that voters prefer a Democrat to some parachuted in, out of touch ideologue who is endorsed by other parachuted in, out of touch ideologues (look at his list of endorsements, Glenn Beck & Sarah Palin amongst them). The conservative “movement” & the GOP have both been given a slapping.
New Jersey can be explained as a consequence of Corzine’s unpopularity- again, local issues (neglected by Hoffman in NY-23) come to the fore. As for Virginia, it is reverting to its natural state. People don’t have Bush to campaign & vote against but I still look forward to a Dem majority in 2010.
http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2009/11/03/the-best-of-both-worlds-2/
The House of Representatives have now voted 220-215 in favour of a 10 year new Health package, costed as a trillion dollar plan, to extend health care, for the 40 million people,currently without cover.
This vote is a momentous day in American history for social inclusion of the 40 million Americans without health care provision.
President Barack Obama has said,
`Tonight,in an historical vote the House of Reps. passed a Bill that would finally make real the promise of quality,affordable healthcare for all American people’
The Healthcare Bill was passed without the support of 39 `blue nosed’ Democrats, who sided with the Republicans.
The US is the last western civilised democracy to offer its people a comprehensive health care cover.
President Obama should be roundly applauded for his relentless recognition that all Americans must now have the same chance to receive access to health services.