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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
6

GOP 2nd Wind Doesn't Mean Smooth Sailing

Party back from last year's beating but upheaval still likely

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(Newser) – The victories in Virginia and New Jersey look set to revitalize the Republican Party ahead of next year's elections, writes Adam Nagourney. The party now has the chance to re-energize its base and prepare for a proper comeback from last year's defeat, although the Democratic win in New York's 23rd district shows that plenty of upheaval likely still lies ahead, Nagourney notes in the New York Times.

The race in New York split the party's moderate and conservative wings, Nagourney notes, and that battle is certain to continue as different factions seek to lead the party back into power. The Republican victors in Virginia and New Jersey focused on local issues while downplaying social issues like abortion, Nagourney writes. While the wins are welcome news for the party, what happened yesterday occurred on a "relatively small playing ground" that may be no indicator of how things will unfold next year, he warns.

Republican Governor-elect Chris Christie greets supporters on election night at his headquarters in Parsippany, N.J. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.
Republican Governor-elect Chris Christie greets supporters on election night at his headquarters in Parsippany, N.J. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Christopher Barth)
Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell and Republican Party National chairman Michael Steele, left, celebrate McDonnell's win during a victory party in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.
Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell and Republican Party National chairman Michael Steele, left, celebrate McDonnell's win during a victory party in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Scott k. Brown)
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Conservatives can win when they emphasize the right things and don’t allow their message to get co-opted.
- Saul Anuzis, a former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party

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6 comments
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ClingingToHope
Nov 4, 09 4:35 AM CST
Liberal bull crap. Had the dems won the governors' seats, the MSM pundits would have been singing about how it was certainly affected by national politics and was a further mandate for liberal policies. Make no mistake, these two governor elections rebuked the narcissist-in-chief and his cronies Pelosi and Reid. Reply
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shonangreg
Nov 4, 09 5:29 AM CST
The media is going to make a big deal out of anything. What do you expect, ClingingToHope? "In tonight's news, not much happened. And instead of wasting your time with a bunch of meaningless stagecraft, we're just going to say nothing." ????? ................. In actuality, no one has been paying much attention to the races -- except to NY23. ........................ Hoffman getting the shadow party backing and polling strong was the big news. Scozzafava's endorsement of the local Democrat over the "foreign" favorite was equally as big of a story, I think, but for different reasons. Who actually won was less important than how the forces had struck out at each other and performed. ................................. I think it worked out the best with Hofmann causing the Republicans to lose. The tea baggers only home is the Republicans. And the Republicans should reform. They haven't since they lost the election -- and nearly the economy. Tea baggers are an angry sub-group of the losers, and they expect to be given another chance? ...... And you Pelosi and Reid comment is just vulgar. Say something without exaggerating -- without living in a conspiracy world where no one else can understand you -- except your co-nuts.
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LoudProudLib
Nov 4, 09 8:31 AM CST
Dems won the only race that mattered...NY23rd. Virginia always votes opposite of who sits in the white house for gov, look it up, and the fact McDonnel told the Palinistas to STAY AWAY! and Corzine wasnt even liked by democrats so he was toast. The only race that mattered was the one that the fringe nutjobs of the gop were pushing. The fact that a seat the gop has held for over 130 years is now in the hands of the democrats. Think about that. You lost a guaranteed seat by shoving out a moderate republican who lived in that district and tried to jam a snot nosed conservative who didnt live in ther district down the throats of New Yorkers. So much for the Palin effect...yeah..she had an effect. She caused an otherwise safe gop seat top go dem. How will the fanatics of the fringe group spin this one? We expected to lose VA and we did, we didnt care about NJ because both candidates were losers and we won where it counted! I'd call last night a success against the crazies of the gop. You can spin all you like, but you know losing NY23rd is far more painful to the Palin supporters than winning 2 gov seats that didnt want any party identification tied to them Both McDonnell and Christie ran ads but never tied themselves to the gop brand.....OUCH! Thats gotta hurt! Oh...and several pro marijuana issues passed with flying colors. Yea...I'd say the fringe brand of conservatism laid an egg last night!
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riffran
Nov 4, 09 8:11 AM CST
ahhh the sour grapes now seem to be growing on different vines today....and the media will spin the hell out of it and find a way to blame Beck bush rush hannity Reply
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Caps
Nov 4, 09 8:13 AM CST
This picture shows two dummies. Reply
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