Say what you like about state races in NJ and VA - The voters have sent a clear national message

[demwing]

We want MORE DEMOCRATS in Congress, right now! This is a CLEAR mandate to pass a Public Option based Health care bill. Choke on it Joe Lieberman, Republicans Nosayers, and flea-bitten Blue Dogs.

It's the will of the people. Read it, learn it, live it...

[Cha]

1. Yeah, that's right..

Thank Goodness!

[dkf]

2. If we're going to lose congress over the economy we might as well

get a decent health care bill.

I do think Obama dropped the ball on the economy and we will pay for it, but hey he choose the priorities and we all have to live with it.

[demwing]

3. we aren't losing congress, what are you talking about? /nt

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Missed point. We didn't lose a seat tonight...

We lost two governor's races...but not a congressional seat.

[dkf]

5. I'm not hopeful on the economy.

I think it will be the main problem we have in 2010. Personally, I keep standing back looking around and asking myself what we are doing to get the jobs market moving again.

Since he put health care ahead of the further help for the economy, he might as well get something worthwhile done and right now it just isn't there.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. I'll worry about that by summer of 2010...

None of us really know what he economic landscape will look like a year from now. Hell, it's even semi-better than it was a year ago today.

It might be worse and it could be better. If it isn't at least a bit better, you're right, the Dems will be held accountable.

But if things are humming along a bit, I think we'll be okay.

[dkf]

7. Personally I think its worse.

I didn't realize how many people I know who have lost or are on the verge of losing their jobs. I've never known anyone who got laid off prior to this recession, and these are bright, well educated people. And all I hear is about furloughs, state budget deficits, and an effort to raise taxes locally.

I'm beginning to get very nervous, not just for the party, but for the country.

[ClarkUSA]

8. FYI... it's a known historic trend that the losing party in the GE wins the NJ/VA governorships.

[Imajika]

9. Think Owens might have run against...

...the public option.

From what I have seen he is a moderate/conservative Democrat who will probably end up in the Blue Dog camp.

[demwing]

11. Yeah, you are right. No spin on that.

I just looked it up, and the man ran pro health care, but not PO. Still, if the voters wanted an endorsement of the Republican healthcare blockade, they could have easily supported the Tea Bagger candidate. That's how you send a message.

As it was, there were three candidates in the race, none who supported the PO. The voters had two varieties of Republican to draw them, and they still chose a Dem, for the first time in 125 years.

That's a mandate for change.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

10. Amen to that, as Grayson has shown voters will be there if they are there for the people.

[AspenRose]

12. Yep...no more conservadems.