Last night Democrats scored big wins in Virginia.
Ralph Northam won the governorship with an 8.5-point victory over the establishment GOP (GOPe) candidate Ed Gillespie. This was not particularly surprising.
What happened in the Virginia House of Delegates was another matter entirely.
The Democrats began the night just one net loss away from giving Republicans a super-majority. This morning – with results still being tallied – they stand one seat away from parity.
Democrats might end up with a majority in the Virginia House.
I came away from this election with two primary thoughts.
- Democrats are energized – despite numerous party divisions and chaos at the leadership level. Anti-Trump is very real – and a force to be reckoned with.
- Conservative voters are not willing to mobilize for a middle of the road establishment Republican candidate.
Consider this.
Gillespie received less votes (1.18mm) than the Republican candidates for Lieutenant Governor (Jill Vogel – 1.22 million) and Attorney General (John Adams – 1.21 mil).
Gillespie was essentially from the NeverTrump camp – and a firm member of the GOP establishment.
Vogel and Adams are not. Both have been far more supportive of President Trump and his policies.
I found this comment in response to an article. It seemed to sum up the general sentiment nicely:
Let’s call it like it is. I’m in VA, voted for Ed, and couldn’t figure out the difference between the two candidates. Ed had no platform, and was probably one of the few human beings in the country who is more boring than Jeb Bush. Last time I will ever vote for a “Hold Your Nose Republican”.
“Hold Your Nose Republicans”.
I like that term. Think I may use it.
Meanwhile, Democrats are excited over the victories in Virginia – and rightly so.
An enormous storm is coming. Democrats are wildly motivated to register their hatred for Trump, moderates are disgusted, and his base is depressed by failure to deliver.
— Jeff B/DDHQ (@EsotericCD) November 8, 2017
I agree with Jeff on all points. But the storm I see coming pertains to the GOP establishment.
Here’s what really happened:
more on #VAGov : Northam won 97% of Dems; Gillespie won 96% of Repubs, but many more Dems showed up: they were 41% of turnout; Repubs were 31%
— Judy Woodruff (@JudyWoodruff) November 8, 2017
Dems+10 in turnout.
GOPe has done nothing but sit on their hands.
Conservatives unwilling to vote for GOPe RINOs.
Message sent. https://t.co/SWHZm0DZPm— Jeff Carlson, CFA (@themarketswork) November 8, 2017
Richard Baris is the Editor-in-Chief at People’s Pundit Daily and the Director of the PPD Poll.
On Election Day, the PPD Poll had President-Elect Trump winning by a 0.6% margin. I find him worth listening to.
After last nights election, Baris had these comments:
1. Final thought: there’re definitely danger signs when we look at everything in it’s totality. But not what you’re hearing. GOP isn’t getting anything done and they are resisting the evolution from failed Bushism to Trumpism. If they keep resisting, they’re going to get creamed.
— Richard Baris (@Peoples_Pundit) November 8, 2017
2. Political coalitions change & Va. shift is a reaction to a realignment. GOP has no future in Bushism, the Gillespie wing. They’re resisting Trumpism, which won them more than enough “un-winnable” states to make up for losing Va. Now they’re depressing vote by doing nothing.
— Richard Baris (@Peoples_Pundit) November 8, 2017
3. (Last) – As I’ve been arguing for years, GOP will never out-pander Ds. Their new electoral coalition runs from NC, around Va., down to FL, up throughout the South and into the Midwest. If they screw over voters @realDonaldTrump brought into the fold, they deserve their fate.
— Richard Baris (@Peoples_Pundit) November 8, 2017
I agree with Baris’ take completely.
And like him, I am shaking my head over the GOPe’s actions:
After last night, GOPe pushes for @RepMcSally vs. @kelliwardaz primary in AZ. The lack of GOPe ability to understand what’s happening in this country is breathtaking. Breathtaking. Same D.C. consultants. Same pollsters. Same stale campaigns. Same stale message. Same outcome.
— Richard Baris (@Peoples_Pundit) November 8, 2017
Tammy Bruce was a bit more direct:
Weird that the GOP base didn’t come out for Gillespie. Heck, George W Bush campaigned for him! Oh, wait… #lessons
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) November 8, 2017
But equally accurate.
The Virginia election was not a referendum on President Trump.
It was a referendum on the GOPe.
I’m not worried in the least about yesterday’s results. We learned a year ago that there is no voter enthusiasm for the GOP establishment.
The GOP needs to realize it’s campaigning during a culture war. That and Congress doing their job will win 2018.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) November 8, 2017
Let’s see if the GOP decides to listen – before it’s too late…
Conservatives are done with “Hold Your Nose Republicans”.
newer post The Ongoing Fusion GPS Revelations
older post A Twitter Visit with Ted Lieu and Joy Reid