I think I missed the memo where gubernatorial races were referendums on Presidencies.

[msallied]

Does anyone have a copy of that memo? :shrug:

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. The M$M wants Obama to fail so badly. If that's not clear to all of us based on their behavior

this evening, I don't know what will convince anyone of anything...

In order to balance the budget, governors have to make very tough decisions, cutting programs here and there, raising taxes. A state has to have a healthy tax base which NJ does, and some of the best schools. Even in Newark and S. Orange, the schools aren't as bad as, say, here in D.C.

But Tip O'Neill told us that ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL!! Regardless of who's in power, incumbents suffer when the local economy is bad whether it is their fault or not. But, you're right. Americans aren't politically sophisticated. They in fact are really stupid!!! I'm saying these things as a political science professor. Americans are not very politically savvy.

[msallied]

2. I agree with you completely.

I am absolutely shocked that state issues are now reflecting on the President. What the media is doing right now is beyond scummy and shameful.

[Jennicut]

3. I wish Warner/ Kaine had been a referendum on Bush in VA but it never happened.

[msallied]

4. Bingo. That's the thing. These are states issues.

Why this is being projected into federal politics, I don't know.

[spooky3]

5. As a Virginian, my opinion is

It has absolutely zippo to do with Pres. Obama.

Creigh Deeds barely won the primary and didn't excite anyone. Very mediocre candidate. Even Terry McAuliffe would have done better in the generals.

It's hard for the average voter to think of much that Tim Kaine has accomplished; he wasn't able to do some key things that would have been good (largely because of the Rethug legislators); and has had to deal with the same downturn most incumbent governors are facing. So there were few coattails to ride.

He was correct to reveal that his opponent wrote a very anti-women (and others) thesis when he was in his 30s and that his record since is hardly better. But Donnell's team put together VERY effective commercials featuring his daughters, to reassure people who aren't paying much attention that he really is a moderate, nice guy now.

Donnell has ties to huge Fairfax County and they went considerably less blue and more purple than they have in previous elections.

People are very nervous about economic issues and they have never liked paying for things they want (outside of Northern VA), so a lying Republican who will tell them he won't raise their taxes and everything will still be ok went over well.

[brentspeak]

6. Apparently, Obama thinks that NJ is important for his presidency

He wouldn't have made six visits here in just the past couple weeks if he didn't think so.

[ProSense]

7. It's called supporting a Democrat.

Trust me, Obama has mega support in NJ.

Corzine simply rubbed people the wrong way.

[brentspeak]

11. If there were another Presidential election tomorrow, Obama would win NJ again

but it wouldn't be nearly as easy for him now as it was last fall. There has been a definite cooling-off of enthusiasm for him here.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

8. lol, he was trashed on DU and on the news for not working hard enough for the Dems running

He just can't win.

[brentspeak]

9. I'm just one person; not DU

And I'm not criticizing him for campaigning for Corzine; just pointing out that having a Dem governor in NJ helps him politically.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. Dunno

I must've missed that memo as well. :shrug: I can't recall any gubernatorial elections EVER that were considered a referendum on the President/party in power. Of course, well, things are unusual in Washington right now: A Democrat is POTUS and Democrats control Congress as well. So, I guess the corporate media whores have GOT to make it look like President- 54% Approval- Obama (and his party) are "in trouble". :eyes: :banghead: MSNBC seems to be PARTICULARLY bad tonight! *ugh* :puke:

[RoyGBiv]

12. It's on Rupert Murdoch's desk ...

In the Outbox.

[Thrill]

13. Especially when the Republican candidates run as if they like the President

.

[struggle4progress]

14. Try looking in Orly's book "Quick Constitutional Hacks"

[davidpdx]

15. I'm sure some of the people who dislike Obama on here

will turn it into one. Don't know about the media because I only have limited stations here in Korea (CNN) and haven't turned it on.

My state didn't vote for anything this time around. Our next election is in Jan when we vote on referendums to (hopefully) uphold the tax increases the legislature passed.

[vaberella]

16. Between DU and MSM, I don't see how you could. I got it early. n/t