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]]. Republicans also gained 680 seats in state legislatures, the most in the modern era. <ref>http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/wehner/380851</ref>

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]]. Republicans also gained 680 seats in state legislatures, the most in the modern era. <ref>http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/wehner/380851</ref>

Democratic loses could be attributed to the [[Recession of 2008]], which continued into the [[Obama administration]]. The public had weak confidence in [[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 the [[Recession of 2008]], which continued into the [[Obama administration]]. The public had weak confidence in [[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.

It is likely that [[John Boehner]] (R-Ohio), will become [[Speaker of the House]] in the 112th Congress, exchanging places with [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-California), who will be the new Minority Leader.  

It is likely that [[John Boehner]] (R-Ohio), will become [[Speaker of the House]] in the 112th Congress, exchanging places with [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-California), who will be the new Minority Leader.