Changes

Democrats talked about increased taxpayer funding of higher education, particularly for scientific research, land-grant colleges, community colleges and historically black colleges. Obama established a White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-historically-black-colleges-and-universities|title=Executive Order 13532 -- Historically Black Colleges and Universities|date=February 26, 2010|accessdate=}}</ref> Democrats subsidized the interest rate out of the federal treasury for Stafford loan voters by cutting the rate to 3.4% and eliminated private banks as middlemen in federal student loans.<ref name=ed>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/higher-education|title=Higher Education|accessdate=}}</ref>

Democrats talked about increased taxpayer funding of higher education, particularly for scientific research, land-grant colleges, community colleges and historically black colleges. Obama established a White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-historically-black-colleges-and-universities|title=Executive Order 13532 -- Historically Black Colleges and Universities|date=February 26, 2010|accessdate=}}</ref> Democrats subsidized the interest rate out of the federal treasury for Stafford loan voters by cutting the rate to 3.4% and eliminated private banks as middlemen in federal student loans.<ref name=ed>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/higher-education|title=Higher Education|accessdate=}}</ref>

The Democratic Party felt the sting from the opposition and many Democrats began questioning their own leadership.  Liberals were disenchanted with Obama's escalation of the [[Afghanistan War]]. American deaths more than doubled in Obama's first few years compared with the preceding eight years.<ref>Chesser, S.G. (2012, July 12). [http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R41084.pdf Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians - CRS Report for Congress]. Pg. 3. ''Congressional Research Service'''.</ref>  The health care reform that consumed most of 2009 remained unsettled, as public opinion turned against it. Environmentalists seemed resigned to the failure of [[carbon tax]]es and a [[cap and trade]] program to reduce [[greenhouse gases]]. Most of the recession dragged on.  The stimulus bill was passed quickly in February 2009 over almost unanimous GOP opposition, but despite promises of "shovel ready" projects, most of the money was never spent to relieve unemployment, job creation and [[economic growth]] remained dtagnant for years.

The Democratic Party felt the sting from the opposition and many Democrats began questioning their own leadership.  Liberals were disenchanted with Obama's [[escalation]] of the [[Afghanistan War]]. American deaths more than doubled in Obama's first few years compared with the preceding eight years.<ref>Chesser, S.G. (2012, July 12). [http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R41084.pdf Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians - CRS Report for Congress]. Pg. 3. ''Congressional Research Service'''.</ref>  The health care reform that consumed most of 2009 remained unsettled, as public opinion turned against it. Environmentalists seemed resigned to the failure of [[carbon tax]]es and a [[cap and trade]] program to reduce [[greenhouse gases]]. Most of the recession dragged on.  The stimulus bill was passed quickly in February 2009 over almost unanimous GOP opposition, but despite promises of "shovel ready" projects, most of the money was never spent to relieve unemployment, job creation and [[economic growth]] remained dtagnant for years.

The elections in November 2009 in New Jersey and Virginia went badly for the Democrats, as the GOP gained both governorships and many local races, not to mention the Democrats' fifth straight loss for the mayoralty of New York City.

The elections in November 2009 in New Jersey and Virginia went badly for the Democrats, as the GOP gained both governorships and many local races, not to mention the Democrats' fifth straight loss for the mayoralty of New York City.