WASHINGTON (CNN) – White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed Democratic electoral defeats in New Jersey and Virginia as "two very local elections" that say nothing about President Barack Obama's standing with the American people right now.
"It's hard to pick national trends out of local elections," Gibbs told reporters at a Wednesday briefing just hours after incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine was knocked out despite Obama's two appearances in New Jersey on Sunday. Obama also had campaigned for Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor in Virginia, who lost as well.
Gibbs noted that exit polls showed the number two issue in New Jersey was local property taxes, and claimed that and other data shows the gubernatorial races were decided on local issues "that did not involve the president."
But Gibbs was eager to tout Democrat Bill Owens' victory in the hotly contested House special election to represent New York's 23rd Congressional District. The press secretary noted that GOP officials "purged" the Republican candidate in the race to make way for Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.
Hoffman's rise was fueled by Republican luminaries such as Sarah Palin and Tea Party activists who are fired up by charges that Obama is trying to expand the size of the federal government, but in the end Hoffman lost to Owens by several points.
"It proves anger can get 45 percent of the vote," said Gibbs. "It doesn't win a lot of elections."
Asked if he has concerns, however, that conservative Democrats in Congress will get "spooked" by the election results and run away from Obama's health care push and other agenda items, Gibbs said, "I don't think they will, and I am not concerned."
Gibbs said Obama is planning on Wednesday to call the Republican winners in New Jersey and Virginia, Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell, to congratulate them on their victories. He said Obama called Corzine and Deeds on Tuesday night to offer his support, but did not want to interrupt the celebrations that Christie and McDonnell were having with their families and supporters on Election Night.
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Exit polls sow that Obama did not factor in on their votiing decisions. This really indicates that Obama is irrelevant.
I don't think that is a good thing no matter how the media trys to spin it.
Gibbs is right. Obama has over 50% approval ratings in both Virginia and New Jersey (57% in NJ), and well over 50% of voters in both states told exit pollers that their feelings about Obama didn't factor into their vote. These elections were about local issues and, frankly, weak Democratic candidates.
What would you expect Gibbs to say, That Obama is done,over,and the liberals can stay at home for the 2010 elections? Obama went to N.J. 3 times had 5 fund raises for Corzine and went to Virginia 3 times and still they lost? I would say it has something to with Obamas standing with the American people,who are tired of Washingtons Tax,Spend and Borrow policies. When Obama said N.J. was a pawn in hie agenda, what is Obama's agenda raise Taxes,have more corruption in his administration,like N.J. has had?
Perhaps Obama wasn't a factor, but the Democratic platform most certainly was. Of course, the Dems aren't going to admit that. In public, anyway.
How stupid does Gibbs think we are?
More importantly, the Democratic candidates are irrelevant: rather than trying to turn out voters by appealing to those who voted for Obama, they are just trying to peel away Republican voters (older, whiter, more conservative).
It will lead to failed elections, and more of the same old politics.
Exit polls? Please. I've been in those. Went to vote with a group of friends and someone was asking us who we voted for, why and what influenced us, etc. We told her straight faced the opposite of how we'd voted. Because we'd heard how she turned away from someone who didn't vote the way she wanted! So, we lied. And laughed as we walked away because she was on the phone to someone talking about how 'something had worked.'
The ONLY polls that count are the ones with actual ballots. That's it. No opinion polls. No exit polls. No random surveys. Remember that in the next twelve months because we're going to be deluged with them on a daily basis.
Then why did Obama waste the travel time to campaign in these "local elections"?
That was a ridiculous statement made by Gibbs but he is known for that. KO points out Obama's rating is over 50% in each state. I would like to know the exact numbers from the time he took office until now.
It is an interesting historical fact that in Virginia most governors have been elected from the opposing party of their Congressional representatives. Historically that has meant that the governor is Democrat and that the state representatives are Republican, and this pattern continues now that Democrats have taken the Congressional seats.
Rethuglicans are funny. When they were in the majority, their de facto leader and all the screaming heads on reich-wing radio and tv told told their listening audiences to not worry about national issues and to become a thorn in the sides of their local and state governments. But now that they're in the minority, the marching orders have changed, and it's all about national issues again.
I find it incredible that a WH official would make such a claim. Hey, Gibbs, ya think the American people are stupid? Had VA/NJ had the opposite effect, you would hold news conferences all day long to take credit. And don't tell me the president was disinterested last night but chose to watch the Chicago Bullst, after he took three trips to NJ on behalf of Corzine. You do well if you stop BSing the American people. If you speak the truth, you will command respect. So start NOW!!!
Gibbs is right. As CNN reported in an article, few seemed to have read, Virginia chooses a governor of the opposite party, i.e., if there is a Democrat in the White House they vote for the Republican, and vice versa. This is an important bit of Virginian trivia!
NJ ousted Corzine, but..... Corzine was already in trouble when Obama was elected a year ago.
PS. folks, governors are about local politics not national.
The REALLY BIG STORY IS .... NY-23....... who REJECTED Palin's & Beck's meddling........ and VOTED FOR THE DEMOCRAT FOR THE ..........FIRST.......TIME........ IN ........A........ 100 YEARS!
Yes they were but local elections that somehow caused the DNC and the administration to spend lots of money, time, and effort!
NJ and VA vote Republican!
Get a grip, folks. I'm beginning to think the polls are like ACORN, filled with corruption and lies!
This is typical of this administration: downplaying the opposition's victories yet touting the Democrat victories and using these to attack the Republican party. I think they should be very afraid of the New Jersey victory: a very liberal state has just went for a conservative Republican. Seems to me that the people of New Jersey were tired of Corzine and the liberals and wanted true "change". This could be a sign of things to come in 2010.
How convenient to dismiss the two GOP gubernatorial wins and yet Gibbs wants to tout the NY congressional win. Main stream America is upset at what is going on in Washington and this is a wake-up call. If the Dems want to deny it, that's fine with me. Main stream America will speak loud and clear come November 2010 and unless our elected officials start LISTENING they will be on the outside looking in.
Local elections? Then why was OB going to those states campaigning for the losers? What a bad spin doctor Gibbs is. This is only the beginning, in one year Dems have a good chance of losing the House and will definitely be stymied in the Senate as their 60 votes will be gone. Maybe then we can have true bipartison bills, not this "liberal we will jam it down your throats" mentality. Hoep tough GOP, stop the looney left from turning America towards socialism, the first shot was fired yesterday, with an entire volley coming in 12 months.
Be a man and accept the loss.
Go ahead and convince yourself, cause you certainly aren't convincing us. If it's no big deal, why did Obama waste so many tax payer dollars flying around on his tax payer provided private jet to campaign for his fellow Democrats? The man who promised to work for ALL Americans was doing what he does best.......campaigning. Little did we know we hired a Campaigner in chief...........and he even failed at that. Couldn't get the Olympics, couldn't get his boys elected. Would love a report how much of OUR money he wasted on these worthless trips.
HAHAHAH.....Gibbs just keeps me laughing.....oooops, sorry, shouldn't laugh when a foolish man says foolish things.
"Exit polls sow that Obama did not factor in on their votiing decisions. This really indicates that Obama is irrelevant."
While I got a chuckle, Obama is still a bit too relevant for my tastes.
As much as they call this local only and the voters state that Obama had nothing to do with this, it is still an obvious indication of a change in attitude. A year ago, an Obama endorsement would have gotten you the keys to Ft. Knox. Influence has obviously slipped.
It they are so local why did the president and the VP campaign? Politics has become more about spinning than leading.. very sad!
The Republican leadership is obviously not interested in negotiating. They are not interested in compromise; they are not interested in finding solutions in the best interests of the majority; they are literally belligerent, obnoxious, stubborn and even arrogant in irresponsibly seeking to block/obstruct everything/anything while offering only bazaar, exaggerated and emotional appeals to discredit, while aggressively trying to manipulate public opinion and justify returning to ‘more of the same’, the same that cost us so much over the last eight years. It really isn’t about conservative or liberal as that is just hyped up for effect. Our representatives, regardless of political party, are suppose to honestly and conscientiously negotiate and come to compromises in the best interests of the people, without selling out to the Special Interests who strongly support them. We really need not to forget the Republicans’ concentrated focus and total commitment when strongly supporting Bush-Cheney and recognize that it just hasn’t changed. Special Interests are still their task-masters. What we should be doing is concentrating on giving them the message that they really do need to change! Otherwise … very possibly ‘more of the same’ is the likely result. Personally, even as an ex-long-term Republican now Independent, I am disgusted and offended that they seek to sway us with their insulting subterfuge and that they literally just take us for granted. We need a strong Republican Party that sincerely strives to serve the American people and not only the powerful, influential and wealthy few. To see them regain that focus we must reject what they have become. We surely need fine-tuning of the current proposals but even more, we need conscience driven representatives that can sincerely put the people’s interests first.
You know thats not true, but I hope and pray Obama's inner circle really do blow these off and keep going the way they are going. 2010 will be so beautiful for conservatism. They may get both houses back and several governorships. Keep your head in the sand.
People (51%) may still like Obama but 62% or more dislike every initiative he is for except Afghanistan. But then again Obama doesn't know what he wants in Afghanistan either.
But if the Dems had have won, Gibbs would have said that it was a huge affirmation of Obama's performance.
Please, you folks keep your heads in the sand all the way to 2010 elections. This had as much to do with Obama, Pelosi and Reid as it did local issues. The Independents are running back toward Conservative-Pro Business candidates which are typically Repubs!! The Hope and Change they were promised is not working out so well. And you can say that it takes time to fix the mess Bush left but look in the mirror because Dems created the financial mess we are in beginning with Clinton and the CRA. Barney Frank was warned about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2003 and did NOTHING!! You Dems can try to blame it on Bush but those that have done their homework know where the blame lies and we are voting based on the truth – not your fairy tale versions of the truth!!
Dems won 5 congressional races,
CA-32
NY-20
NY-23
IL-5
CA-10
IIRC
These winners will vote in Congress. McDonnell and Christie, NO.
Just keep saying this Gibbs.......It will make it easier for the Republicans to clobber the Dems in 2010 and 2012.
Based on these elections and national, unbiased polling results..........It is now clear that the MAJORITY of Independents no longer trust/approve/support Obama, the Democrats, their policies, and the direction that they are taking our country.
The majority of Independents will be voting with the Republicans AGAINST Obama and the Dems in 2010 and 2012.
The economy, unemployment rates, taxes, Cap and Tax Bill, etc.-–definitely are beyond local issues--and are a referendum on Obama and the Democrat policies as well.
These attempts by some to cloud the issue by relating everything to Obama are just so transparent. Local unrest could or could not be related, but I would not make such assumptions. Locally here we ousted Mayor Greg Nichols in the primary in favor of two relatively non-politicos. Why? Well for me, I felt that mayor Nichols pandered too much to business and was not sympathetic to the homeless when some housing/human rights activists set up another tent city named Nicholsville! He also proposed a plastic bag fee in the middle of this recession, but exempted some big downtown players from charging some fees. Green is good, BUT you need to be fair! The really telling aspect for me was how he also used Obama in his re-election bid. To me this was very revealing as to how the deceptions of politics ensnare so many! Mayors race now: Progressive-billed, McGinn slightly ahead. We gotta talk what we know! Peace
Oh how you spin!!! Of course its The Economy Stupid !!! And who is in charge?the White HOuse? Obama. Whether they admit it or not. People are fed up and it is a referendum on Tax and spend dems and Peloisi and Reids treating us as inrrelevant to their policies. People have had enough and 2010 will silence those who don't take notice of these elections.
The elections showed that Obama has no political coat-tails. Obama campaigned heavily in New Jersey (as did Joe "Foot-in-Mouth" Biden), yet Obama's "star appeal" couldn't move voters.
Yesterday's elections should tell the democratic representatives and senatos that they are on their own in 2010.
False. Obama, Biden, and other main players wouldn't have campaigned so persistently if the elections weren't of importance to their agenda. If the democratic candidates had won, headlines would have read "Democratics sweep HUGE elections in NJ and VA." Just typical liberal media downplaying their declining support.
Gibbs is smug and arrogant and is eventually going to become a liability to the Obama Administration... NJ voters just threw that type of attitude out of office and rejected a "Big Government through Higher Taxes" liberal mindset. And Gibbs is dead wrong if he thinks this won't spook the Blue Dogs... the end result of last night's election may be the death of the Reid, Pelosi, and Obama liberal agenda... the message last night was "Where are the Jobs?" not "Where is my Public Option?"
Sure it was unimportant. that is why Obama visited NJ 3 times to support Corzine. Hypocrisy run rampant.
He is 'somewhat ' correct...people are targeting the Congress and Senate (you have no idea how much).....and 'weaning' out the garbage at the local and state levels first.....it's going to be a few interesting years ahead. Oddly, President Obama really wasn't much different the average Joe growing up (economics, that is)....so in a strange kind of way..it's almost supportive of his ideals....weird.
We will be sure there is no mistaking the message of a referendum on Obama in 2010 since it is obvious you did not get this one Gibbsy!! BTW, where is the CNN poll asking if the results were a referendum on Obama?? Are you afraid you may not like the results!!!
We'll see how "local" the elections are in 2010. In the meantime, keep telling Americans that it doesn't matter what they want, and that they are irrelevant.
ya right ,, thats why obama lived in new jersy and virgina,,,,better get back to the middle....stop this foolish agenda on gay rights , golbal warming,,, its jobs man.... its about jobs.....
"This really indicates that Obama is irrelevant."
Indeed he is: Obama has absolutely nothing to do with local property taxes, corruption in the NJ and VA state governments, state legislation and regulation and enforcement thereof, Corzine's horrible track record in NJ or the fact that Deeds has all the personality of stale oatmeal. Nice try though....it just so happens you were right in a manner you didn't intend.
I'm all for a big strong government, with a positive role in America.......I love this government b/c I love America, and our government is the best on the planet!!!!!!!
Also i'm a middle class working american.
Obama/Biden 2012!!!!!!!!!
I don't think these elections had anything to do with Obama either. But the media's hysterical overreaction on this might end up being good for everyone.
The teabaggers can feel a little less powerless and stop hauling their guns to public meetings and tone down their idiotic rhetoric just a bit.
The mainstream Dems can stop fumfering around and take bold action, by themselves - & stop kidding themselves that GOPs and conservative Dems will do anything but obstruct.
Au contraire, it shows that the voters are concerned about local issues, like property taxes, etc., and aren't swayed simply by presidential support. Why should they be? Obama has little or nothing to do with city/state government. Too bad the Dem candidates were so weak, that's more to blame.
The truth is that people are fed up with politics. Fed up with Democrats, fed up with Republicans and fed up with the media and their talking heads pretending to know the thoughts of the American voters.
They say that there is a civil war among the Dems, a civil war among the Repubs, but the truth is that there is a total disgust with the government in Washington, and if things don't change there will be a civil war in the streets of America.
As a Democrat this does indeed speak to the Obama Administration. Take heed so you know where to improve and where to back off. The Republicans did us a favor. Thank goodness these elections were not for Hill positions.
So do the democrats make a habit of throwing tens of millions of dollars at issues that are local? Why yes they do, they throw money at everything.
Change you can believe in.
Funny, Palin makes ONE statement in support of the (C) running here and the MSM is saying this loss reflects on her, BUT Obambi and Billy Clinton spend DAYS in VA and NJ and somehow that doesn't reflect on them???
Obamabots in the media are all giddy over this, but the facts are that they didn't do ANYTHING here, the Republicans in NY blew it with the initial selection.
Bet the house that next year, the REPUBLICANS get this back.
Time for the Obamabots to roll out of bed and bash Palin, the rest of us WORKERS only have a half hour for lunch.
This lying slobs words are laughable and unbelievable, just like his liar of a boss didn't watch the results last night.
Sniffit, 2010 is going to be AWESOME baby, get out the crying towel.
That is why Mr. O spent so much time campaigning on "local elections"? Does the white house have some swamp property (healthcare) to sell also?
Gibbs is just another talking head. I doubt if he has ever had an original thought in his life. He's paid to preach all things Obama, and the truth is something he will never be burdened with.
44% in Virginia and 40% in New Jersey said obama was a factor; after only 9 months in office, that is a cause of concern for this administration.
of course they're local. let's move on.
Gibbs et. al. can spin this whatever way they want - the two governor races hurt Obama significantly (at least in the short term).
While he smelled defeat in Virginia pretty early on (and so ran away from lending his support to Mr. Deeds) he was very involved in the New Jersey election, campaigning for Corzine five or more times.
Don't believe a word you hear about this one - they are shocked in the White House that they lost New Jersey (to a pretty average Republican candidate) and they are running scared about how trends are going to play with moderate and conservative Dems. on the helath care bill.
I'll tell you what, if the unemployment rate remains above 9.0% next November, Obama is going to be facing a very different Congress – goodbye activist agenda, goodby left wing Supreme Court justices.
Funny that before the elections, those specific elections were important.....now they hold no meaning because they don't fall in your favor. Get your stories straight!!!
Well, George Jones, you're right. The exit polls indicating that President Obama did not factor into their voting decisions can, I suppose, indicate that "Obama is irrelevant" . . . as ANY President should be irrelevant in a local election! Keep grasping at straws, though.
If the democrats won in those states then it would have been because of the greatness of obama's visits to NJ. They didn't pay millions of dollars expecting to lose. Now that they lost both, it doesn't matter? What a joke!
Politics is all local. In addition the Virginia candidate was feeble and declared himself "not an Obama Democrat." What a way to inspire the base! Corzine was incompetent and suffered his fate. The commentary is local and the exit polls indicate that the voter's decision was focused and determined by local issues as state elections always are.
The outcome in the NY 23rd was predictable – the locals did not like the heavy handed interference in their back yard by national republican figures. This grandstanding for their own self-interests clearly back-fired. Thank you Sarah – the progressive movement's greatest weapon to ensure our dominance for years to come. We will be contributing to your campaign as it is money well spent!
It they were just "local" elections, then why did Omama make THREE very high profile trips to NJ for Corzine?
Plus, Christie had over 60% of the Indendent vote, which tells me that people are not happy with the direction our country is going in.
Spin it however you want, but this is on Obama.
Liberal America wake up. This is what is goingto happent o you in 2010. The american people are tired of you , Obama and the Repbulicans. The independents put Obama into the Wite House, not the Democratic Party. The independents are now waking up and seeing the nothingness of CHANGE and Transperasey promised. The polls indicate that Obama is popular. His approval ratings of programs is not over 50 %. Get your facts straight. I do not see alot of you liberal supporters backing this statement. Why, becasue they know the American people are fed up. No jobs, not out of Iraq, not out of Afghanistan, promises broken, lies and more lies. Both parties need to wake upl. Hopefully every incumbant will be voted out in 2010 and we can truthfully get this country back on track
I am "shocked" that the WH puppets are spinning these terrific victories in VA & NJ as just local nonsense. We all know without a doubt that it's a scathing indictment of the Obama/Pelosi/Reid gang and their socialist agenda. I cannot wait until fall 2010! GO GOP!
Agreed...what KO said...
I do not believe that the two Republican victories are about our President. As a matter of fact last night two Moderate Republicans won the Gubernatorial races while two Democrats won congressional seats. One of these Congressional seats was in a district that a Democrat has not won in over a hundred years. I do believe however that last night was a clear referendum on the so called Conservative movement. When Republicans turn and back a Democrat rather then a Conservative candidate it does not speak well of the Party of teabaggers and Limbaugh. Last night confirms that American are rejecting the AM radio and FOX Propaganda Conservative ideology. Over all I believe that both the Republican and Democratic parties should be celebrating the fact that sanity has overcome.
Republicans 2
Democrats 2
Party of wingnuttery 0
That's okay Bobby, believe what you will. But know we are all just waiting for the day we can fire you too!
How does this guy consistently spin so fast without falling down??? He reminds me of the game where you put a baseball bat to your forehead, spin around and then try to run. To even suggest that the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia have nothing to do with the president is ludicrous. Independents put Obama over the top in both states last year and this year those same independents went for the GOP candidates in droves. Round and round Gibbs goes and where he stops, nobody knows!!!!
Ha yeah spin spin spin, Obama only went to help about 3 times within 2 weeks and shipped someone who helped him on his campaign to help corzine. Yeap no reflection on him what so ever lol.
One comment, Goober! Remember what Tip O'Neill said. "All politics is local!" Do not denigrate these local elections as these are the same people who will be voting next year for Congress and 1/3 of the Senate! We really don't want the Reactionaries, sorry, I mean Conservatives to take over again. So be nice to the local electorate!
Exit polls sow that Obama did not factor in on their votiing decisions. This really indicates that Obama is irrelevant.
I don't think that is a good thing no matter how the media trys to spin it.
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Sounds like wishful thinking on your part.
The bottom line as "George Jones" stated in his comment is that "Obama is irrelevant". Voters in Virginia and New Jersey swept President Obama into office based on "hope and change" and a lot of other politicians won on his coat tails. Now it appears that hope for change has faded as voters have realized he is just another liberal politician and that the coat tails have also disappeared. It doesn't bode well for all those new Democrats in the House when they come up for re-election in 2010 with no Pied Piper Obama to lead the ticket.
You keep thinking that Gibbs while we Republicans and Independents carry you and your boss out of the WH in 2012. America gave Obama a chance and he's blown it by swinging further to the far left while increasing taxes and debt to a point of no return. No more!
Gubenatorial elections turn mostly on local issues and the "what have you done for me lately" syndrome. Corzine was a Wall Street banker who didn't do much to help the folks of NJ and Creed ran away from Obama at first and then latched on to him at the end, appearing desperate. NY's 23rd district is another matter: that one had been Republican since the Civil War. That WAS a huge win for progressives and a HUGE loss for Palin, Pawlenty, Limbaugh, Beck and that Law & Order clown.
Gibbs may be right but, as a committee person, I'm very disappointed at the turn out in yesterday's election in my district. Both parties in my district turned out fewer than 20% of the voters. These were school district and judicial elections – very important to our local students and statewide legal issues.
If it isn't in a sound bite that makes a voter angry, they just don't seem to care. It seems anymore as if the Party that generates the most fear and anger wins most often. It's very sad for our country.
36 years, that's right 36 years since any President's political party won in those states, that means Republicans and Democrats.
I agree that it was about local issues – particularly the absurd property taxes in our neighboring NJ – however, this must have meant something to them to spend political capital campaigning there and it is a signal the Democratic leadership should not entirely discount. Independents who voted for Obama (like me) have become increasingly frustrated with their vote having felt misled by his implied position on the political spectrum and a lack of concrete decision making. I know I was one of those independents out there voting in NYC yesterday to reinject some balance into the equation (never voted in a mayoral or local race before). If they are not careful, this is the way the tide could easily flow going forward so they should not completely discount it.
To me yes its about local issues but too, i dont think voters is that excited as they were 1 year ago so maybe the Republicans turnout was more than the Democrats turnout was because we already have what we wanted in the Whitehouse and he Will stay there until his 8 years is up.
quoted from CNN article reporting on Tim Kaine current Virginia Governor, but mostly the Democratic Party national Chairperson
"The governor suggested that both races hinged on local rather than national issues and that the president "was not really a factor" in either contest. While a majority of voters in both states said the president did not influence their choice for governor, exit polls indicated that national issues like the economy and health care weighed heavily on voters' minds."
Sounds like the president did have some influence.
I think the bigger story is NY-23 and the Republicans fighting among themselves so much that they lost a Strongly Republican district. It shows that the Right Wing of the Republican Party is trying to force out any moderates.
Bring the Tea Baggers to Florida and watch Rubio-out Right Christ to win the Primary, but then lose all Moderate Support, and the General Election.
Yes, local, that's why Obama campaigned in NJ 5 times on 3 different trips. Yes this meant nothing to them or maybe it just meant nothing to the voters that Obama showed up.
Sara Palin's endorsement, Glenbeck, the teabaggers, were all the
kiss of death for the republicans in NY- 23.
This was the only race that was of any real importance to the Democrats. And we won the congressional seat.
The republicans think that electing a republican in a state that is
traditionally red republican anyway(but turned blue during the national
election, ha ha) somehow delivered them a victory. If Virginia wants to
be ruled by the same republicans who ruined the country no less than
one year ago, then let them.
However , the majority of Americans will not be fooled again.
Press Secretary Gibbs is telling the truth much more than Sarah Palin saying " it is just put off until 2010 [ NY congtrssional district 23 ] " or the RNC chairman striking a Heisman pose .
Local elections don't matter much to Obama, I guess that is why he made five trips there, don't tell me he wasn't upset especially in New Jersey.
Clearly, Obama has jumped the shark.
And of course the WH is going to downplay the message that these two elections sends. They started doing it a couple days before the election when the polls showed that there was no way they would win. If they were ahead a couple days before we would've heard the WH spouting off about how these elections will prove BHO's popularity. Just more political spin both ways. Always.
I have to disagree with Gibbs, CNN and white house aides that Obama was not a factor. If +or- 50% of exiting voters said Obama did not affect their vote that leaves +or- 50% that did let it affect their vote. I understand they have to put a positive spin on things but that is an outright lie.
I hope our country is in better shape during the next couple rounds of elections. When a country is in bad shape during elections people tend to make odd decisions in hopes that radical ideas will make everything better. When independents start voting for candidates out of spite because they are disgruntled with the opposition, everybody looses. Experience and time tested ideas lose out to political promises.
If you add up the votes cast in NY 23, two thousand five hundred more people voted Conservative and Republican than they did Democrat. Even though Scozzofava dropped out, she still garnered almost 7000 votes because her name remained on the ballot. If you add those Republican votes to those for the Conservative, the majority of people in the district are right of center and the majority's will was NOT realized. So even though the Democrat won, this is still an ideological WIN for the right and a statement against the far left ideology Obama and Congress have forced upon us.
So... in all three of the closely watched races, more votes were cast for right-of-center candidates. The raw numbers SHOULD be a warning to moderate Dems to watch their step if they want to keep their jobs. But spin it however you like. The fact that almost half the voters said Obama WAS a consideration in their local races is a HUGE number.
George Jones November 4th, 2009 12:53 pm ET
Exit polls show that Obama did not factor in on their votiing decisions. This really indicates that Obama is irrelevant.
---------–
This doesn't really indicate anything, except the slightest delay in the gradual final extinction of Republican Party 'Values'. People were voting for their local representation. I wouldn't base the national election in 2016; that is after Obama's second term to be that influenced by the NJ State Election in 2009. NJ will most likely go blue in 2016 (and 2012).
Let the repugs have their day.....what else do they have?.......NOTHING
Did anyone really expect any different response to this loss in Virginia and definitely New Jersey? Obama and Biden were up there with constant visits and TV commercials all saying what an important partner Corzine was to them and then when he loses it means nothing??? This response is laughable and shows how far they stretch their own credulity with the American public. Do they really feel people are that dumb that they will believe this garbage?
I agree, it was local
but don't loose sight of the lessons
get the work done, be less about entertainment and more about the welfare of the electorate
ooohhhh!!
Yet somehow, a DEM victory would be a referendum. Funny how that works!!!
Also, explain why did Obama campaigned so hard in those states if the loss would not be a referendum? Hmmmmm
Let's not forget the approval ratings for Obama is down fr approx. 67-72% in Feb to barely 50%!!
I guess NJ & Vare the exception for Obama's spirally job approval numbers right?
Keep spinning MSM!!!
If weak democratic candidates with problematic local issues were so significant in Viriginia and New Jersy why did President Obama use tax payer funds to campaign for them?
It is more about the whole Democratic Party, including President Obama himself. They have been unable to take advantage of the power that has been handled to them by the people to fix this country.
-Unable to cap the credit cards interest rate.
-Unable to have the health care reform properly done.
-Unable, unable, unable, and unable to everything, even to call out the GOP obstructionism.
-Taking the GOP tone, which unfairly blames middle class and poors of this country for the last year financial clash, whereas it is the greedy and barbaric behavior of those financial institutions that put them in hardship situation. It is absolutely not because they borrowed bigger than their pockets. Their pockets were prepared for 12% APR, as they agreed with those banks, and not 34% as imposed by banks with the support of credit report agencies..
-Bailing out banks instead of people, so they can pay banks. Even President Bush gave every family $1,500 out of the $148 billion stimulus while President Obama has denied stimulus to regular people out $748 billions stimulus.
Therefore, why wasting time to go vote for them again?
All I can say is wait till 2010...Dems are going to get crushed.
Count the number of times this guy says "AHHHHH" in any converstaion. Every other word..
Kinda seems to me that what Gibbs is saying is pretty much what losers always say. They are in a state of denial, of course it was about Obama, maybe not him personally but certainly his policies. The very fact that he could not really help either of them speaks volumes as to his decline. The voters who stayed away are also a big statement to Obama as to his waning popularity, they didn't care enough to support him any longer. One more little thing, of course it was a "local election", they all are regardless of the outcome, so that says essentially nothing.
The biggest losers in yesterday's contests are the wingnuts of the radical right wing of the GOP: teapartiers, birthers, deathers, 9-12ers, Glen Beck, Dick Armey, Sarah Palin, Limbaugh & the other rabid conservative talkers of the extreme Right. The Dems lost in states where local issues dominated and where the Dem candidates ran poor races. More importantly, the won two house seats in GOP strongholds ( NY-23 since the Civil War!). Two more votes in the House for Health Care Reform! Yeah baby!
I dont see why the fauxnews ditto heads thinks that obama should care about this election. The two important elections (over congresional seats) went to democrats. Just because the GOP makes a huge issue over the elections that they know they are going to win doesn't mean the rest of us are going to hop on the bandwagon and care too.
keep singin' gibby! it's your lie. live it how you want!
better start working on your 2010 election excuses....NOW!!
Spin, spin, spin. It's all about damage control for the White House today. Fortunately, most intelligent people that get their news from reputable news organizations, (not just CNN), will understand that.
it is amazing if the democrats had won they would loudly spin it as against the Gop polices but when it is a victory for the gop it is not against the democrats polices that brought out huge crowds at townhalls they prtray it as local issues. in your dreams guys nice try!!!!
If you think for one minute that this doesn't reflect on Obama, then I have a bridge to sell you. He and Biden personally spent a great amount of time campaining for these two and they lost. If nothing else, it shows a loss of influence and a lack in confidence in both Pbama and Biden. Left wing dems are going to vote and support Obama no matter what. It's the certrist dema and the independent voters that matter in elections and they have lost their trust!
This is just the beginning. 2010 will show that Obama is a big reason for throwing out many incumbants. Some Republican and many Democrats!
And the captain of the Titianic wants to know if you need any ice for your cocktail.
The 2008 Presidential Election was a blacklash vote against the Republicans...NO different from Nixon/Cater and Clinton/Bush. NOT about what the democrats are doing to this country.
Gibbs is categorically wrong, anger DID when that election and now we, as with the previous two times, are paying for it.
Why would anyone care about Obama for their Governor? One doesn't "vote for the other one. And why would I care about NJ and VA govs?
If you want to know how people think about Obama policies, just go to NY where Democrat wiped the floor with Palin's choice to win a seat a Democrat hasn't won in over 100 years! The only election you are tracking that can actually vote for or against Obama policies. Now that's a statement.
And why would House Dems get spooked? They got POSITIVE reaffirmation in NY. Dumb question CNN.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed Democratic electoral defeats in New Jersey and Virginia as "two very local elections" that say nothing about President Barack Obama's standing with the American people right now......
So why Obama bothers to come to NJ to campaign for Corzine..... 5 TIMES????????????
Obama was not repudiated by any of last night's elections, but voters clearly were not swayed by the opportunity to show support for the candidated endorsed by Obama either. Obama has a solid core of supporters – I'd guess 40%. Then, there is about 15% of America who is in the squishy middle.
Those folks bend with every breeze. They are all for you unless they burned the toast that morning, then they are against you because "things are not going well for me." They have no political principles and to them democracy is sort of like a reality show where you get to vote one person off the island every week.
Unfortunately, they decide most elections.
Keep being dismissive, and you will be out of a job in 3 more years.
It's true, exit polls show this had nothing to do with Obama and everything to do with very poor candidates representing the Democrats.
The good news, like all republicans... these guys will screw things up juuuust enough for people to have it fresh in their mind when they go to the polls next time for congressional candidates.
Weather it will be the traditional republican "cheat on my wife" affair or the classic "I'm going to say I'm not racist but basically be racist" route... who knows. But those are the norms with the GOP.
LOL...local election. Obama had his arm wrapped around Corzine for the last week. Yeah I'm sure it had nothing to do with Obama or his plummeting numbers.