Rebooting the Democrats

Thursday, 05 November 2009 11:13

The Wall Street Journal

Tuesday's GOP gubernatorial sweep revealed an electorate deeply anxious about jobs, the state of the economy and the wider Obama agenda. We realize we sound like St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, but if the Democratic establishment wants to avoid a repeat in 2010 they'll dump their current ambitions and start over.

In New Jersey and Virginia, the Republicans campaigned on lower taxes and more disciplined government as a way to boost growth and jobs. With unemployment brushing up against 10% even as gasoline is nearing $3 a gallon, voters were obviously sending a message about Washington's Great Reflation bet. This was particularly true for independents, who voted in droves for President Obama but broke for the GOP this year by more than two to one in both states. Suburban voters, too, went for Bob McDonnell 55% to 44%, and 51% to 43% for Chris Christie, according to exit polls.

Full story here.