Republicans Just Broke Democrats’ Blue Wall

National Journal ^ | November 5, 2014 | Josh Kraushaar

[centurion316]

This is what a Republican wave looks like.

The biggest story from the 2014 midterms was not just how Republicans reclaimed red states they lost in 2008—it's how they won seats in states that Democrats thought they had for their own. The GOP won most of the purple-state Senate battlegrounds, nearly sweeping the lineup of competitive blue-state governors' races, and picking up House seats in districts that seemed like Democratic locks.

Before the election began, the White House was preparing to spin away a solid Republican night by claiming that most of their victories came in conservative states. After all, the GOP needed only a red-state sweep to retake control of the Senate. But it soon became apparent that Republicans gains were much bigger and more widespread than even the most pessimistic Democrats expected.

-SNIP-

The results weren't pretty for Democrats: They got swept in Iowa and Colorado, lost a North Carolina race they thought they would win, and are barely hanging on in Virginia—a race they didn't even think was competitive.

-SNIP-

And Republicans could pick up as many as five governorships, when most analysts expected them to lose several. Gov. Rick Scott, one of the least popular governors in the country, nonetheless prevails in Florida. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the Democrats' biggest gubernatorial target, comfortably wins his third election in four years. Republicans clinch close governor's races in deep-blue Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland while running neck-and-neck in Colorado. Even Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, who looked like a goner before the election, hung on in a close race.

Meanwhile, House Republicans are positioned to add more than a dozen members to their already sizable caucus, which would give them the largest majority in generations.

[centurion316]

I know that much of this comes as a great disappointment to those Freepers who believed that the only way to advance the conservative cause was to make the defeat of certain Republicans a higher priority than the defeat of any and all Democrats. I'm sorry that it didn't work our for you and hope that you will get over it. That red House of Representatives map sure looks sweet to me.

There is certainly work to be done to replace liberal Republicans with conservative and the time to do that is between right now and the end of the primary season in 2016. We need to also look at the state and local races where real conservatives are gaining ground at a much faster rate than at the national level. Dinosaurs don't die easily, but taking out a few more every election cycle is a good thing.

[Uncle Miltie]

Remind your friends:

2014 Democrats “Are All Folks Who Vote With Me” And “Have Supported My Agenda” - 0bama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jSTxwMQ_1A

“But make no mistake, (my) policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them.” - 0bama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkYnghIrQrA

“I don’t want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking” - 0bama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jifjRVLVjzA

[dfwgator]

I do agree that before we can replace the GOPe, we had to get rid of the Democrats first. So Step One is complete.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Now it would be nice if we could break through the Blue Wall on a presidential level.

[goldstategop]

The Democrats’ problem is their base consists of gentry liberals, black voters and single women.

They don’t have much beyond that and they’re in danger of being defined as a party of minorities.

You can’t be a majority party with such a narrow base - or win an election.

[11th_VA]

I know that much of this comes as a great disappointment to those Freepers who believed that the only way to advance the conservative cause was to make the defeat of certain Republicans a higher priority than the defeat of any and all Democrats.

Don't be too hard on our Brethren - we can win as a team, but the GOPe needs to reach across the isle to the Teaparty. I agree with most of what Cruz wants to accomplish, be he needs to think strategic. Nonetheless, the GOPe better work with the Teaparty ...

[Patriot Babe]

Does anyone know if the former Secret Service Dan Bongino won the 6th District in Maryland for Congress? The last time I heard he was behind.

[Democrat_media]

Great victory! Freedom is saved

with just a simple majority in the House Republicans stopped Amnesty since 1994 .Clinton , Bush , Obama wanted Amnesty badly . democrats didn't stop amnesty as democrats know they would get 40 million new democrat voters.Republicans stopped Amnesty with their House of Representatives simple majority. and Republicans also stopped Hillary care, gun control , full socialism, all since 1994.

Now with a super majority in the House Amnesty, gun control, full socialism is dead for the next few years. now we have a chance and opportunity to succeed in America.

we were 1 millimeter away from falling into the abyss (socialism). last night save us. many of you don't see the implications .

[anonsquared]

What I am more interested in is what Soros is now going to do to the market and/or the dollar in retribution for rejecting his boy Barry. Of couse they will pin it on Republicans. And will all the RINOs aid and abet him in his quest to assure the 2016 elections move the country back in the direction of socialism?

[11th_VA]

He has Not conceded. About 8,000 mail-in ballots have yet to be counted. He targeted Military and hopes they will make up for his 2,500 deficit. (numbers are estimates)

[Red Badger]

Perhaps it finally dawned on people, all over the country, that if you have a political party whose sole source of power comes from an ‘oppressed’ electorate, then it is in the best interests of the party to ensure that the electorate stays ‘oppressed’...............

[Democrat_media]

Good post . I agree with you. many of those you mention would have sent us into the abyss by giving the democrats/socialism total power

Great victory! Freedom is saved

with just a simple majority in the House Republicans stopped Amnesty since 1994 .Clinton , Bush , Obama wanted Amnesty badly . democrats didn't stop amnesty as democrats know they would get 40 million new democrat voters.Republicans stopped Amnesty with their House of Representatives simple majority. and Republicans also stopped Hillary care, gun control , full socialism, all since 1994.

Now with a super majority in the House Amnesty, gun control, full socialism is dead for the next few years. now we have a chance and opportunity to succeed in America.

we were 1 millimeter away from falling into the abyss (socialism). last night save us. many of you don't see the implications .

[Arm_Bears]

I live in Florida and, while Rick Scott has done some really bone-headed things, he’s still light years ahead of “Good-time” Charlie Crist.

I gave my vote, and my trust, to Scott yesterday. Let’s see if he lives up to it.

[V_TWIN]

“Gov. Rick Scott, one of the least popular governors in the country”

Not where I live in NE Fla. It’s the damn yankee libs in S. Fl.

[oldbrowser]

I know that much of this comes as a great disappointment to those Freepers who believed that the only way to advance the conservative cause was to make the defeat of certain Republicans a higher priority than the defeat of any and all Democrats

Some of the divisive voices are actually trolls.
The strong tea party voices have helped the voters see the difference between the Marxists/democrats and the republicans.

They were able to move the candidates to more conservative positions. Of course it didn't hurt that Obama has made a complete mess of governing the country.

[Viennacon]

Looks like Bongino lost by a hair. This district was gerrymandered extremely favorably to Dems, so he outperformed exceptionally.

Anyone hearing the news from California that Jim Costa has been felled by a guy nobody ever heard of? This race wasn’t on anybody’s radar, but with 100% in, Dems just lost another seat they weren’t expecting

McSally still ahead in Arizona.

[Patriot Babe]

Good , thank you.

[Uncle Miltie]

Republicans won because they were “Not 0bama”.

I am not aware of any Republican who won on a pre-defined set of conservative principles and policies.

(Though I am open to being informed, especially Jodi Ernst.)

The Republicans earned no mandate.

Now, anything they attempt can be properly painted as “You didn’t tell us you’d do THAT before we elected you.”

And, they utterly failed to advance conservatism. What a wasted opportunity.

So, congratulations, GOPe, you SUCK LESS THAN OBAMA.

[Qiviut]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-delaney-bongino-follow-20141105-story.html

Rep. John Delaney, whose race for Maryland’s westernmost House contest was among the closest in the nation, declared victory on Wednesday, though his Republican challenger was not ready to concede the race.

Unofficial results in the 6th Congressional District put Delaney ahead of Republican Dan Bongino by more than 2,100 votes. The Maryland State Board of Elections reported there were 5,847 absentee ballots cast in the contest, and officials said they will begin counting those votes on Thursday.

[Major Matt Mason]

I do agree that before we can replace the GOPe, we had to get rid of the Democrats first. So Step One is complete.

We are still in Step One - we need to hold serve in 2016, and pick up the White House. That won't be easy, especially with the schmucks running the GOP.