First reactions
Yesterday was a pretty good day for Democrats.
They swept the statewide offices in New York. They got their majority in the House. Maybe the Senate too. And there were even unexpected gains locally. Democrats have their first elected official in Parma (town board member-elect Joseph Rittler) in recent memory. They picked up both seats that were up in the village of Fairport. And they picked up a town board seat in Gates.
Republicans didn't have the best day, but they held onto enough to hold their heads high. They hung onto control of the State Senate, which means they still have a say in Albany, even if it's only enough to throw up roadblocks for Eliot Spitzer. And it appears when all the votes are counted they will have kept all three local Republican seats in Congress (in the 25th and 29th there's still the possibility of a recount).
What's it all mean?
Everything and nothing.
As just about every pundit must've said by now, Democratic control of something --- anything --- at the federal level will bring a badly needed modicum of accountability to Washington. But beyond that? Beyond that it's pretty tough to say. A least a part of the wave that carried these Democrats into power was an anti-Bush, anti-War, anti-GOP sentiment as much as anything else. Democrats seem to be thrilled about this. But maybe they should think twice about that. If this election was in fact a referendum on the Republicans that means the Dems will have a brief honeymoon. But soon a fed-up nation is going to expect some results and a coherent agenda. Even assuming the Dems deliver on these, there's no guarantee that the voters will like what they have to offer. Plenty of these seats, after all, aren't necessarily friendly to Republicans.
Here's an example: New York's 20th district, in the eastern part of the state. Kirsten Gillibrand unseated Republican John Sweeney. But Sweeney had his own problems including a domestic incident he couldn't fully explain away, a taint of corruption based on trips he took at the behest of a lobbyist to the Mariana Islands and a bizarre episode where he was photographed drinking at a frat party in Schenectady. Not the best way to firm up a conservative base. But the district remains a Republican one by enrollment. Gillibrand may have beaten Sweeney, but another Republican without his baggage might appeal to voters in that district. Especially two years from now, when the White House is up for grabs. Especially if, in those two years, a Democratic House hasn't managed to accomplish much. Or even if Gillibrand hasn't done a lot to distinguish herself.
On the state level, the Democratic takeover reprises the same basic theme. Dems proved last night that they can win elections. Now they have to prove they can govern. Eliot Spitzer may get a longer-than-average honeymoon, but he too will be expected to deliver, particularly when it comes to reform. What's different is that the state GOP is in shambles and if he fails to enact serious reform, there might not be a strong candidate to hold him accountable.
Your thoughts?
--- Krestia DeGeorge
They swept the statewide offices in New York. They got their majority in the House. Maybe the Senate too. And there were even unexpected gains locally. Democrats have their first elected official in Parma (town board member-elect Joseph Rittler) in recent memory. They picked up both seats that were up in the village of Fairport. And they picked up a town board seat in Gates.
Republicans didn't have the best day, but they held onto enough to hold their heads high. They hung onto control of the State Senate, which means they still have a say in Albany, even if it's only enough to throw up roadblocks for Eliot Spitzer. And it appears when all the votes are counted they will have kept all three local Republican seats in Congress (in the 25th and 29th there's still the possibility of a recount).
What's it all mean?
Everything and nothing.
As just about every pundit must've said by now, Democratic control of something --- anything --- at the federal level will bring a badly needed modicum of accountability to Washington. But beyond that? Beyond that it's pretty tough to say. A least a part of the wave that carried these Democrats into power was an anti-Bush, anti-War, anti-GOP sentiment as much as anything else. Democrats seem to be thrilled about this. But maybe they should think twice about that. If this election was in fact a referendum on the Republicans that means the Dems will have a brief honeymoon. But soon a fed-up nation is going to expect some results and a coherent agenda. Even assuming the Dems deliver on these, there's no guarantee that the voters will like what they have to offer. Plenty of these seats, after all, aren't necessarily friendly to Republicans.
Here's an example: New York's 20th district, in the eastern part of the state. Kirsten Gillibrand unseated Republican John Sweeney. But Sweeney had his own problems including a domestic incident he couldn't fully explain away, a taint of corruption based on trips he took at the behest of a lobbyist to the Mariana Islands and a bizarre episode where he was photographed drinking at a frat party in Schenectady. Not the best way to firm up a conservative base. But the district remains a Republican one by enrollment. Gillibrand may have beaten Sweeney, but another Republican without his baggage might appeal to voters in that district. Especially two years from now, when the White House is up for grabs. Especially if, in those two years, a Democratic House hasn't managed to accomplish much. Or even if Gillibrand hasn't done a lot to distinguish herself.
On the state level, the Democratic takeover reprises the same basic theme. Dems proved last night that they can win elections. Now they have to prove they can govern. Eliot Spitzer may get a longer-than-average honeymoon, but he too will be expected to deliver, particularly when it comes to reform. What's different is that the state GOP is in shambles and if he fails to enact serious reform, there might not be a strong candidate to hold him accountable.
Your thoughts?
--- Krestia DeGeorge
posted by the editor at 9:51 AM
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