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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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 CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER 
27

Tuesday Proves Obama Victory Was a Fluke

Reports of a great liberal realignment are greatly exaggerated

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(Newser) – The outcome of Tuesday's elections dispel the myth of a great political re-alignment supposedly heralded by the election of Barack Obama last year, writes Charles Krauthammer. Believers swore young and minority voters would establish a new liberal majority and bury the GOP. But Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey show that Obama’s victory had more to do with his personal appeal, and the dissatisfaction with George Bush, than any great political shift.

Because Obama and the Democrats misinterpreted 2008 as handing them a grand liberal mandate, they managed to drive voters to above-average conservatism. In Virginia 4 years ago, Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell ran a virtual dead heat for attorney general. “Run them against each other again when it's Obamaism in action and see what happens,” writes Krauthammer for the Washington Post. “What happened was a Republican landslide.”

Gov-elect Bob McDonnell smiles during a news conference with transition members, Phil Cox, left, and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, right, at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009.
Gov-elect Bob McDonnell smiles during a news conference with transition members, Phil Cox, left, and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, right, at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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 Chris Christie celebrates his defeat of incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine to become the next governor of New Jersey, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Republican Chris Christie celebrates his defeat of incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine to become the next governor of New Jersey, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in Parsippany, New Jersey.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
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November '08 was one shot, one time, never to be replicated. Nor was November '09 a realignment. It was a return to the norm. - Charles Krauthammer

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27 comments
VIEWING:
 
myvoice
Nov 6, 09 6:18 AM CST
I love the add SWEEP 2 stated down, 37 to go.... along with the headline of this article...i wonder if the GOP is really pushing all this? 37 states are dems? do the math. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
Thinker
Nov 6, 09 7:01 AM CST
Did anyone notice on the national level that the DEMOCRATS gained TWO MORE VOTES in Congress? TWO MORE VOTES for the healthcare bill? TWO MORE CONGRESSIONAL SEATS??? (Well, actually one since the other was a BlueDogDem, but technically two!).
Vote up! Vote down!
+15
IN RESPONSE:
dontlikeyou
Nov 6, 09 9:55 AM CST
Krauthammer is right on the money. I can't tell you how many Obama voters have told me that they made a huge mistake by buying into the hope and change bullshit.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
dontlikeyou
Nov 6, 09 9:58 AM CST
{{{ Because Obama and the Democrats misinterpreted 2008 as handing them a grand liberal mandate, they managed to drive voters to above-average conservatism. }}}
Vote up! Vote down!
-3
IN RESPONSE:
davjc09
Nov 6, 09 10:56 AM CST
I think if Democrats made a sweeping victory they'd see it as a referendum on Obama and liberalism. But since the elections were a mixed bag, both sides are clutching at moral victories. GOP claims victory bc they beat Obama backed govenors, while dems are happy that conservatives shot themselves in the foot in NY23.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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