WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Bob McDonnell rolled to victory over a Democrat in the governor's race in Virginia on Tuesday in the first of three key votes that provided an early test of U.S. President Barack Obama's clout.
Democrats were also bracing for the possibility of defeat in the New Jersey governor's race and in a congressional district in upstate New York where a conservative candidate had led in opinion polls.
The election outcome could provide clues as to the mood of America a year after Obama was elected president, and a year before 2010 congressional elections that will represent the first clear referendum on Obama's time in office.
While the votes may not have been a referendum on Obama himself, voters clearly expressed concern about the direction of the U.S. economy, which suffers from a 9.8 percent jobless rate the president has been unable to reduce.
An hour after the polls closed, U.S. television networks projected McDonnell had easily defeated Democrat Creigh Deeds in Virginia.
A year ago Obama had become the first Democratic presidential nominee to win Virginia since 1964. Obama had campaigned twice for Deeds but Democrats were unable to muster a large turnout the way they did a year ago.
The outcome suggests Democrats have a challenge in trying to attract voters to the polls without Obama's name on the ticket as they prepare to defend their strong majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2010.
In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie was giving a tough fight to incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine, a former Wall Street executive who pumped $23 million of his own money into the campaign.
The race was considered too close to call. Republicans have not won a statewide race in New Jersey since 1997. Obama won the state by 16 percentage points and traveled there to campaign for Corzine three times.
The president was described by the White House as not watching the election returns, and spokesman Robert Gibbs earlier dismissed the potential impact of the governors' races on Democrats and the 2010 elections.
ALSO:
VIDEO: Bob McDonnell's victory speech
Liberals--PC Cowards
@ex repub
FOR STARTERS...THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN "EX-REPUBLICAN"...ONLY EX-DEMOCRATS WHO ARE NOW CONSERVATIVES...AND BY THE WAY, BETTER GET USED TO EATING MAGGOT SOUP WITH YOUR CROW...!
Ex Republican
"Rush is blaming Newt for losing NY23...fabulous! Keep tearing away at your own party. Proves you just don't get it..."
------------------------------
Mega Dittos?
:-)
Ex Republican
"So let me get this straight.....
1. Beck Endorses the conservative along with Palin
2. The GOP wins two Gov races...
3. The Dems win TWO more votes in congress in republican districts and who is celebrating?"
-------------------------------------
Oh indeed............
:-)
Ex Republican
"So let me get this straight.....
1. Beck Endorses the conservative along with Palin
2. The GOP wins two Gov races...
3. The Dems win TWO more votes in congress in republican districts and who is celebrating?"
-------------------------------------
Oh indeed............
:-)
Ex Republican
"Rush is trying to console the teabaggers -- "pay no attention to NY23 -- it's no big deal". That's right -- putting your teabagging rep against your own Republican candidate was not a big deal. Just stupid."
---------------------------
There it is.......
Ex Republican
Enjoy the hollow victory Tea Birther Republicans!
Its what you ignorants do best, just dont look up how this made the GOP fall apart a little bit more.......
:-)
Ex Republican
Enjoy the hollow victory Tea Birther Republicans!
Its what you ignorants do best, just dont look up how this made the GOP fall apart a little bit more.......
:-)
Independent_Voter
Independents ruled the day.
Out of the Blue(Oath Keeper)
Don't get too happy......This administration is extremely devious. Did it occur to any one that BO and his thugs LET this happen so it would absolve them of accusations of rigging elections in the future?
Can you see 2010 when ACORN and SEIU are rebuilt and fully funded again and NO republicans win the Dems can look back and say "Republicans won in 2009 so it cant be rigged".
it is just a possibility and a reason for the right to stay vigilant and not read too much into this.
sleuth2
Frank Lutz's forum in Richmond was not very enlightening. I know many independents who voted straight Republican because they are so angry at the free spending, laws-don't-apply-to-me Democrats. I personally will never vote for a Dem again.
Libertarian
LANDSLIDE!!!
keonimana
ditherer's narcissism is showing again...the man-child said he wasn't payin attention lol
in his empty head he's probably blaming Bush again lol
The first real concrete step (elections) to show proof of what Americans are feeling..no polls..no heresay..no gossip...no spin...BUT PROOF!!
step 1, 2009 completed...
next step 2, 2010...
then finally step 3, 2012
GO AMERICA GO!!!
stoptheinsanity
thanks to fox and the tea parties,,,keep it up fox and wait for the big slam to come,,,they will fight even harder to demean and silence you
ex dem 101
in obamus's back yard, in your face bobo straight up !!!!! MMM MMM MMM GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ce
Congratulations, Governor McDonnell, I wish you the very best as you govern the state of Virginia. I liked what you were saying to the people of Virginia. It sounds like our American Values are safe in your hands. God bless you and your family, and God bless the state of Virginia!!!
Ruger
NOW OBAMA CAN SEE A RED STATE FROM HIS PORCH STOOP. VIRGINIA IS FIRED UP AND READY TO GO! WE WON!
real American
to you libs, get up off the floor, set in the chair in the corner and watch as real American conservatives show you what this nation is supposed to be
ImJustSayin
Oh, what a beautiful morning!
Oh what a beautiful day!
I've got a wonderful feeling
Sanity is on it's way!
Phalanx
To Bobo the Clown,
Change; YES WE CAN!!!!!!!! You and your socialist/marxist czars WILL be booted. The American Revolution will repeat itself!
Atlas Shrugged 2010
HERE'S HOPING THAT DEEDS LEARNS FROM THIS SECOND KICK FROM THE ELEPHANT!!!! Virginia (my home state) saids...DONT TREAD ON ME!!!!!!!!
No PC Here
A big part of the discussion now is the lack of the black vote. I believe the reason 98% of them turned out in the presidential election was to "make history" as they say. They just wanted a black president. They didn't care about his values, politics or morals...only the color of his skin.
History was made...he is president....why vote again?
Sad, but I believe true.
American Eagle (OathKeeper)
Obuma had his Liar-in-Training Gibbs annouce that the Buma was not watching the returns as they weren't important, strange aint it that Obuma went down and campaigned for Deeds several times if it wasn't impotant.
Proverb
Lessons learned from the NJ and VA elections:
1. The Obama coalition will have trouble getting Blacks, Hispanics and the Youth vote energized in 2010 mid term elections without "O" on the ballot (-4 million votes).
2. The Republican conservative base that boycotted McCain is now visible and active (+4 million votes).
3. The Independants have switched sides because of massive deficits, bailouts, invalid stimulus pork and the Pelosi/Reid health care boondogle they call "reform" (+4 million votes) will bankrupt our country.
4. Americans reject Socialism. That's the Obama agenda and it has failed and it must be eradicated from our economy...."its the economy, stupid".
5. The missing piece is Republican leadership and a message on how to solve problems similar to the 1994 Contract With America addressing todays deficits, energy independence (drill our oil and build nuclear plants) and real HC reform (pre-existing conditions allowed by insurance companies, competition across state lines nationally, real malpractice reform to reduce liability insurance that eliminates "defensive medicine").
TIME FOR CHANGE!
GA Patriot
Congratulations to Bob McDonnell of Virginia and to Chris Christie of New Jersey. They both have given all of us a wonderful victory over corruption, poor representation of what their constituents really want in thieir States. We share your joy and wish you both only the best of everything. This is also a Victory for what is Right in this Country, and we thank our almighty God for looking out for our Country. This is only the beginning. 2010 elections will be victorious for us as well. Our conservatives values will win over the evil and corruption which is taking place in our Nation by the Liberals and Radicals in Washington. Thank you again for being stand-up guys and for becoming a force in your States. Our best to you always. A Georgia Patriot and an Independent.
Sharon in VA
I wish him the best for our state.
American Eagle (OathKeeper)
I just hope that when the Republicans take over again in 2010 and 2012, that they don't act like they did back in the 90's, next thing you know they were just like the dems and it cost them. Also would like them not to be the nice guys and say let bygones be bygones, they need to treat the surviving dems like they have been treated in the last two years.
Navy(Retired) Oathkeeper
Amen brother
The Constitutionalist
Write and call your Senators to stop the appointment of::
David Hamilton of Indiana to the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Barbarella
Hey Libs, this is just the beginning, fasten your seatbelts!
Nataline Sarkasian
Nice job, Palin. Beck, Pawlenty and Thompson. Please stay out of the races. You are living proof that the rightwingnuuts have no power. YOu had nothing to do with NJ and VA which were solid victories. Sara Failin wasn't asked top endorse either of these canditates.
Hey Hoffman is Beck still your mentor
Ohio Gal
Is that you ash????
1984
Are you always this hasty; jumping to conclusions without examining all the facts?
You'd be great as a cop in the 1940s movies, that always assume the one standing next
to the body when they arrive; did the murder, LOL.
The RINO endorsed the democrat, so her supporters were encouraged to vote for the
democrat.
The conservative didn't have the funds and backing the RINO had from the republican party.
And there is the ever- present possibility of voter fraud, especially since it was such a tight race
and the conservative was predicted to win by many.
1984
Are you always this hasty; jumping to conclusions without examining all the facts?
You'd be great as a cop in the 1940s movies, that always assume the one standing next
to the body when they arrive; did the murder, LOL.
The RINO endorsed the democrat, so her supporters were encouraged to vote for the
democrat.
The conservative didn't have the funds and backing the RINO had from the republican party.
And there is the ever- present possibility of voter fraud, especially since it was such a tight race
and the conservative was predicted to win by many.
American Eagle (OathKeeper)
If the republicans can stick to conservative values they will take the country back,
DS
20+ point swing in Virginia, 20 point swing in NJ........that can't be good, can it Libs?
PATRIOT UPRISING
Tea Party goers reveal our army. We're marching, and like Washington from Virginia, who defeated the British in NJ, we too are winding our way to victory in 2010. We will throw out the invaders from Congress, and in 2012, retake the White House from the corrupt and inept, the enemies of America.
PATRIOT UPRISING
Tea Party goers reveal our army. We're marching, and like Washington from Virginia, who defeated the British in NJ, we too are winding our way to victory in 2010. We will throw out the invaders from Congress, and in 2012, retake the White House from the corrupt and inept, the enemies of America.
Lee in Pa
Thank you VA, Jefferson would say the people have spoken.
Lee in Pa
Thank you VA, Jefferson would say the people have spoken.
Jenney
A big thanks to all that voted. A message has been sent, whether they want to publicly accept it or not, they know that we know they are scared. 2010 will be here soon enough. Take care of our troops, stop selling America out, stop shoving health care and cap and trade down our throats. Our founding Fathers are proud.
Rebel Lieutenant Monte L. Miller
**** IT IS COMING SOON *****
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Pelosi, Reid, Kerry, Murtha, Specter, Frank, Dodd, Sanders, Waters
Rebel Lieutenant Monte L. Miller
**** IT IS COMING SOON *****
***** OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP *****
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Pelosi, Reid, Kerry, Murtha, Specter, Frank, Dodd, Sanders, Waters
B.O.H.I.C.A.
OK - we gave you the chance - you better walk the walk
T-Mark
Amen.
roguetea
rogue, Trumpeting Elected Allies
My guess, most of the celebrating is going on (coming from) states other than NJ and VA. I certainly smile down here in FL. If that is true, hoping that is true, presuming that is true, what matters most is that We understand, We The People have taken charge. We must remain the leaderless, the multi-faced, loud voiced conscience of good old American convictions and know-how. We hate new progressive vigilantes, no matter the party.
*
We got into trouble because we allowed ourselves to be led astray by both parties. Yes, I would agree, currently the Dems outpace the Reps. But party affiliation is no guarantee of true Founding Father spirit. Celebrate briefly, then roll the sleeves back up and get back at it, the protesting, the watching, the shouting, the voting. There will always be many battles on the horizon. Christie and McDonnell may prove to be jerks. At best, they are only temporary placeholders. If they are to serve well, they must have the vigilant scrutiny of We who are the permanent, lifelong bosses.
tea party, Corruption 2009, 2010 SMEAR
mythoughts
I have thought about moving back to VA in the past year - now i won't be ashamed to consider it. i know the difference in living there under a republican and a democrat - I left under the democrat. People can tolerate just so many taxes and just so many liberal 'projects' (the key word for entitlements).
mythoughts
Gibbs blames Deeds, of course.
Xianggirl
Can we blame Bush this time. mmm,mmm,mmm, oops, we can't, so whom should Gibbs blame???
proudarmymom
TO ANY ON FROM VA AND NJ MY SON SERVING IN AFGANISTAN SAYS TO SAY THANK YOU. AND KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT AND STAND STRONG
Jenney
Our gratitude to your Son, he is doing the hard work there, but we are definitely doing what we can here for him and all the troops. God bless our troops.