CNN Analysis: Elections not a referendum on Obama

CNN ^ | November 4, 2009 | By Mark Preston, CNN Political Editor

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Washington (CNN) -- Victories in New Jersey and Virginia Tuesday provided a major shot in the arm for the Republican Party heading into the 2010 elections, but the Democratic losses of these two governorships should not be interpreted as a significant blow to President Obama.

While the economy and jobs were the chief concern for voters in both states, 26 percent of New Jersey residents said property taxes was also a major issue, while another 20 percent mentioned corruption, according to CNN exit polling. In a similar CNN survey taken in Virginia, health care was the most important issue for 24 percent of the voters, while 15 percent named taxes and transportation was mentioned by 7 percent.

Further proof that this election was not solely focused on Obama, 56 percent of Virginians said that the president was not a factor when it came down to their vote. In New Jersey, that number increased to 60 percent of the people who went to the polls on Tuesday.

Perhaps this was the problem for Virginia Sen. Creigh Deeds and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

Neither Democratic candidate was Obama; neither was a great spokesman for "change;" and Democratic strategists and grassroots activists said each candidate failed to give independents a reason to support them.

[Roses0508]

Yeah, I caught a thing on CNN’s website yesterday (reading it every day in a bet with an idiot) where they were doing a thing on whether Obama had delivered on his campaign promises. They managed to make it look like he had delivered or it was in the works for everything - including the lobbyist thing which they listed as a “compromise”.

[perchprism]

“Just the fact that they are making a point of saying “this is not a referendum” makes it likely that it is”.

Exactly. What, afterall, is the motive otherwise even to opine on the subject? It is the first thing that came to mind for them: Oh no!! The electorate is moving away from my redeemer! Against the Chosen One!! It can’t be....therefore it isn’t, and I’ll write a neat analysis just to prove it...

[Eagle Eye]

Watching FR threads last night it is apparent that freepers want these elections to be a referendum on Obama when the GOP/Conseervative candidate wins but not when the GOP/Conseervative candidate loses.

Hypocritical, IMO. Wishful projection.

Wait..wait...if we’re upset with Washington, DC don’t we normally show our displeasure by voting out the school board, city council, and maybe the governor?

Hey, I know, that is silly.

[nascarnation]

Say it loud

Say it often

Baraq's Toxic Coattails

[Mouton]

I think the reality here is this was not a referendum on OZero, he was not running...however, the dems lost 2 important governorships. Except in that ridicules NY 23 screw up, this is a harbinger of what is to come in 2010 if the economy does not turn around and get MUCH better. If not, the dems are toast whether OZero stumps for them or not in 2010.

My feelings about OZero are based on fact his policies are not favored by the majority but his personal likeabilty is still high in the polls. Voters generally will go with whether they like someone over their policies IMO BUT their off year coat tails do not help candidates they stump for.

As far as OZero goes, 2012 is up in the air. If he is able to keep his wide eyed youth and racial puppets in line, he will eek out a win regardless of whom the GOP puts up IMO. The only good news is that the GOP will have command of the house and perhaps 45 seats in the senate. So, our mission is not close to over. Oppose his and his lefty parties ideas while trying to educate the dumbed down about the threat he is to the future of the country. Remember even if he loses the house and senate (the latter will never happen by 2012), he can veto bills enacted in the next 14 months that may undermine his agenda. He is still in the drivers seat it is just that his bus has a few less gallons of gas.

Vince

[pointsal]

By the way, who is running against Harry Reid in Nevada?

I want to send a donation to the opponent.

[jersey117]

It was about the economy and that translates to a rejection of obamanomics and obama’s non-stimulus plan. Obama spent all weekend in NJ with corzine bashing Bush so that card clearly has been over-played. It’s a referendum on obama all right.

[JimRed]

What else would we expect from the CommunistNewsNetwork? CNN LIES!

[skikvt]

It had nothing to do with Obama. Nothing at all.

[Huck]

You don’t live here.

[TXnMA]

Hey, two out of 57 ain’t no big thing...

[GOPJ]

CNN analysts would have called it a referendum on Obama IF the dems had won... CNN is soooooooo biased.

[CharlesWayneCT]

So in virginia, almost HALF the electorate said Obama was a factor, which means probably a majority of the votes for the Republican said so.

And 26% of virginians said health care was a big issue — and a LOT of that is people who are scared to death that the DEmocrats are going to destroy health care. CNN stupidly thinks that 26% is pro-health-care-reform.

[GOPJ]

bump

[Little Ray]

No. If Corazine and other Democrats has won, it would be a “Great Victory for Beloved Leader Obama.” Since they lost, its is not referendum at all and goes into the new black hole.

[Citizen Soldier]

BO had his name ABOVE corzine’s on political posters that corzine was using. THAT was a referundum on BO

[Arrowhead1952]

But Obama was out there campaigning and robo-calling for these guys! I guess that means he had nothing to do with their losses.

Exactly, yet the state run media is saying that Sarah Palin and Rush had EVERYTHING to do with the Hoffman loss in #23 in New York.