Changes

Republicans gained the most House seats since the [[1938 Midterm Elections]], giving Republicans their biggest House majority, and Democrats their smallest minority, since [[1946 Midterm Elections|1946]].  When [[blue dog]] [[Democrats]] are added to the [[Republicans]] on certain issues like [[gun control]] or [[marriage]], the [[Republican]] majority is even greater than in 1946.

Republicans gained the most House seats since the [[1938 Midterm Elections]], giving Republicans their biggest House majority, and Democrats their smallest minority, since [[1946 Midterm Elections|1946]].  When [[blue dog]] [[Democrats]] are added to the [[Republicans]] on certain issues like [[gun control]] or [[marriage]], the [[Republican]] majority is even greater than in 1946.

Democratic loses could be attributed to public rejection of the socialistic policies of the [[Obama administration]]. The public disapproved of [[President Obama]]'s economic policies. In the days leading up to the election, a majority of voters supported repealing/replacing [[Obamacare|The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], sixty-five percent of voters said that the [[economic stimulus package]] either hurt the economy or did no good,<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021591-503544.html</ref> and fifty-four percent of those voting said they were dissatisfied with the performance of [[Barack Obama]]. Given the high level of Democratic success in the 2006 and 2008 elections, they were also put in the position of having to defend a large number of seats.

Democratic loses could be attributed to public rejection of the socialistic policies of the [[Obama administration]]. The public disapproved of [[President Obama]]'s economic policies. In the days leading up to the election, a majority of voters supported repealing/replacing [[Obamacare|The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], sixty-five percent of voters said that the [[economic stimulus package]] either hurt the economy or did no good,<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021591-503544.html</ref> and fifty-four percent of those voting said they were dissatisfied with the performance of [[Barack Obama]]. Given the high level of Democratic success in the 2006 and 2008 elections, they were also put in the position of having to defend a large number of seats.

[[John Boehner]] (R-Ohio), become [[Speaker of the House]] in the 112th Congress, exchanging places with [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-California). By tradition Pelosi would be expected to resign her leadership position after such a stunning repudiation by the electorate, but as a self-centered [[liberal]] she insisted on becoming the next Minority Leader.  

[[John Boehner]] (R-Ohio), become [[Speaker of the House]] in the 112th Congress, exchanging places with [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-California). By tradition Pelosi would be expected to resign her leadership position after such a stunning repudiation by the electorate, but as a self-centered [[liberal]] she insisted on becoming the next Minority Leader.  

The president himself has received $543,219 from Swiss banking giant UBS AG,<ref>http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638</ref> a foreign banking corporation which was later fined a record $780 million for its part in helping the rich evade U.S. income taxes.<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=6910350&page=1</ref> Columnist Ruben Navarrette warned the pitfalls of playing the "foreign card" is

The president himself has received $543,219 from Swiss banking giant UBS AG,<ref>http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638</ref> a foreign banking corporation which was later fined a record $780 million for its part in helping the rich evade U.S. income taxes.<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=6910350&page=1</ref> Columnist Ruben Navarrette warned the pitfalls of playing the "foreign card" is

{{Cquote|both offensive and dangerous. It exploits people's fears of the unknown and appeals to the [[prejudice]] that many of us feel toward those who are different. It also fuels ugly nativist instincts that -- once unleashed -- can do real damage....Democrats know this better than anyone ... The [[Barack Obama birthplace controversy|birther]] movement, which suggests that Obama was actually born in Kenya and thus not eligible to serve as a president, is all about playing the foreign card...<ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/10/20/playing_the_foreign_card_107647.html</ref>}}

{{Cquote|both offensive and dangerous. It exploits people's fears of the unknown and appeals to the [[prejudice]] that many of us feel toward those who are different. It also fuels ugly nativist instincts that -- once unleashed -- can do real damage....Democrats know this better than anyone ... The [[Barack Obama birthplace controversy|birther]] movement, which suggests that Obama was actually born in Kenya and thus not eligible to serve as a president, is all about playing the foreign card...<ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/10/20/playing_the_foreign_card_107647.html</ref>}}

Commentator [[Charles Krauthammer]] called the unfounded attacks on the Chamber of Commerce a baseless [[McCarthyism|McCarthyite]] smear,<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZm0qZnk5N0&feature=related</ref> while columinst Jacob Sullum wrote,

Commentator [[Charles Krauthammer]] called the unfounded attacks on the Chamber of Commerce a baseless [[McCarthyism|McCarthyite]] smear,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZm0qZnk5N0&feature=related</ref> while columinst Jacob Sullum wrote,

{{Cquote|[[Obama]]'s attempt to discredit his opponents by linking them to sinister outsiders reminds us that neither major party has a monopoly on [[xenophobia]]. To some extent, crying "foreigner" reflects the president's desperation in the face of the [[Democrat]]s' looming midterm losses.<ref>''[http://reason.com/archives/2010/10/13/logical-farce Logical Farce: Obama's wild attacks on "foreign money" reek of desperation,]''  

{{Cquote|[[Obama]]'s attempt to discredit his opponents by linking them to sinister outsiders reminds us that neither major party has a monopoly on [[xenophobia]]. To some extent, crying "foreigner" reflects the president's desperation in the face of the [[Democrat]]s' looming midterm losses.<ref>''[http://reason.com/archives/2010/10/13/logical-farce Logical Farce: Obama's wild attacks on "foreign money" reek of desperation,]''  

Jacob Sullum, Reason.com, October 13, 2010.</ref>}}

Jacob Sullum, Reason.com, October 13, 2010.</ref>}}

Election forecasters in September 2009 were revising their predictions downward for the Democrats, as Obama's popularity continues to plunge. From April to August, Obama lost 10 points across the board—suffering losses in every group except blacks, who remain loyal to him.<ref>For details see [http://pewresearch.org/assets/pdf/1333.pdf Pew Report, Sept. 2009]</ref> The popularity of Congress remains low. Starting in January 2010 the number of Americans who identify themselves as Democrats was at a seven-year low.<ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/partisan_trends</ref> The Republican party, however, suffers from a lack of leaders and its own poor reputation in voter esteem.

Election forecasters in September 2009 were revising their predictions downward for the Democrats, as Obama's popularity continues to plunge. From April to August, Obama lost 10 points across the board—suffering losses in every group except blacks, who remain loyal to him.<ref>For details see [http://pewresearch.org/assets/pdf/1333.pdf Pew Report, Sept. 2009]</ref> The popularity of Congress remains low. Starting in January 2010 the number of Americans who identify themselves as Democrats was at a seven-year low.<ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/partisan_trends</ref> The Republican party, however, suffers from a lack of leaders and its own poor reputation in voter esteem.

"No question, August proved cathartic for voters and chaotic for congressional Democrats. But way before the town hall meetings during recess, there were ample signs for Democrats to fear for their careers in 2010," concluded Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman, who predicts the Democrats will lose 20 seats in the House, but retain control.<ref>See [http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0909/Cook_Political_Report_A_dangerous_slide_for_Democrats.html Politico, "Cook Political Report: ‘A dangerous slide’ for Democrats" Sept 3, 2009 online]</ref>  Wasserman concludes that a major shift has been underway among "angry white seniors" (over age 60), who strongly dislike the Obama health care proposals because they fear they will lose benefits they now have.  

"No question, August proved cathartic for voters and chaotic for congressional Democrats. But way before the town hall meetings during recess, there were ample signs for Democrats to fear for their careers in 2010," concluded Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman, who predicts the Democrats will lose 20 seats in the House, but retain control.<ref>See [https://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0909/Cook_Political_Report_A_dangerous_slide_for_Democrats.html Politico, "Cook Political Report: ‘A dangerous slide’ for Democrats" Sept 3, 2009 online]</ref>  Wasserman concludes that a major shift has been underway among "angry white seniors" (over age 60), who strongly dislike the Obama health care proposals because they fear they will lose benefits they now have.  

Analyst Stuart Rothenberg reported that, "Growing public concern about spending, taxes and the size of government has started to shift the national landscape away from the Democrats to a more neutral position, and quite possibly toward the GOP."<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, "All Signs Point to Another Top-Notch Election Cycle in 2010," ''Roll Call'' Sept. 8, 2009</ref> Furthermore, an advantage for Republicans was that 48 House Democrats, 8 more than the size of their majority, come from districts that voted for both George W. Bush and John McCain.<ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cookreport.php</ref>

Analyst Stuart Rothenberg reported that, "Growing public concern about spending, taxes and the size of government has started to shift the national landscape away from the Democrats to a more neutral position, and quite possibly toward the GOP."<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, "All Signs Point to Another Top-Notch Election Cycle in 2010," ''Roll Call'' Sept. 8, 2009</ref> Furthermore, an advantage for Republicans was that 48 House Democrats, 8 more than the size of their majority, come from districts that voted for both George W. Bush and John McCain.<ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cookreport.php</ref>

*'''Ohio'''

*'''Ohio'''

Moderate Republican [[George Voinovich]] announced he would not seek a third term. Lieutenant Governor [[Lee Fisher]] won the Democratic nomination over Ohio Secretary of State [[Jennifer Brunner]] with 55% of the vote, a much closer margin than polls had shown.<ref>http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/dem-primaries/96111-fisher-wins-ohio-dem-senate-primary-will-face-portman</ref> Fisher received the endorsement of Democratic Governor [[Ted Strickland]]. Meanwhile, Republicans rallied behind [[Rob Portman]], former Congressman and Director of the [[Office of Management and Budget]]. Although polls originally showed a tight race, Portman defeated Fisher by a 57%-39% margin.

Moderate Republican [[George Voinovich]] announced he would not seek a third term. Lieutenant Governor [[Lee Fisher]] won the Democratic nomination over Ohio Secretary of State [[Jennifer Brunner]] with 55% of the vote, a much closer margin than polls had shown.<ref>https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/dem-primaries/96111-fisher-wins-ohio-dem-senate-primary-will-face-portman</ref> Fisher received the endorsement of Democratic Governor [[Ted Strickland]]. Meanwhile, Republicans rallied behind [[Rob Portman]], former Congressman and Director of the [[Office of Management and Budget]]. Although polls originally showed a tight race, Portman defeated Fisher by a 57%-39% margin.

*'''Oklahoma'''

*'''Oklahoma'''

*'''Connecticut'''

*'''Connecticut'''

M. [[Jodi Rell]], despite being a Republican Governor from a blue state, was reelected with 63% of the vote in 2006 and had high approval ratings throughout her tenure as governor. However, she announced she would not run for another term.<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29346.html</ref> Lieutenant Governor [[Michael Fedele]] announced his candidacy, but was defeated for the Republican nomination by former U.S. Ambassador Tom Foley. Democrats chose Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy over former U.S. Senate candidate [[Ned Lamont]]. After a recount, Malloy was confirmed to have won the governorship by a 50%-49% margin.

M. [[Jodi Rell]], despite being a Republican Governor from a blue state, was reelected with 63% of the vote in 2006 and had high approval ratings throughout her tenure as governor. However, she announced she would not run for another term.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29346.html</ref> Lieutenant Governor [[Michael Fedele]] announced his candidacy, but was defeated for the Republican nomination by former U.S. Ambassador Tom Foley. Democrats chose Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy over former U.S. Senate candidate [[Ned Lamont]]. After a recount, Malloy was confirmed to have won the governorship by a 50%-49% margin.

*'''Hawaii'''  

*'''Hawaii'''