Independents who supported Obama broke heavily for Republicans Tuesday, helping the GOP win marquee governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey. And the coalition of younger, minority voters who powered Obama's victory last year was replaced by an electorate that was noticeably whiter, especially in Virginia, where Democrat Creigh Deeds lost in a landslide.

Yet Democrats weren't the only ones in danger, as voters also vented their frustration at incumbents and party insiders.

In upstate New York, Democrat Bill Owens won a House seat held for decades by Republicans in a special election dominated by a fierce intraparty GOP split.

There, conservatives and national Republican figures led by former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin helped force out assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, the Republican candidate chosen by GOP county chairmen, in favor of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. The conservatives were incensed by Scozzafava's support for abortion rights and gay marriage.

Party strategists worry the Obama voters who helped elect Democrats up and down the ballot last year may sit out the midterms because the president isn't on the ballot, or because they're frustrated he hasn’t yet brought the fundamental change to Washington that he promised.

Democrats must defend as many as 60 marginal House seats next year, many in districts the president lost or carried only narrowly in 2008, as opposed to about 40 for Republicans.

Tuesday's results also pointed to a somewhat reinvigorated Republican Party after it had been left for dead a year ago. That's largely thanks to independents, the fastest growing voter bloc, and the most notoriously fickle.

In Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell won a whopping 66 percent of the independent vote, helping him bury Deeds, who got just 33 percent. Obama narrowly carried independents in the state last year, helping him become the first Democrat to win the state in a presidential contest since 1964.

In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie won a much tighter race against incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, largely on the strength of independents. Christie won 60 percent of the independent vote after Obama won a majority of independents last year.

In Atlanta's mayoral race, City Councilwoman Mary Norwood, vying to become the city's first white mayor in a generation, received 45 percent of the vote, compared to Sen. Kasim Reed at 38 percent. City Council president Lisa Borders was a distant third with 14 percent and conceded early.

Norwood did not get 50 percent of the vote plus one to avoid a runoff. Election officials estimated voter turnout could be at its lowest in recent memory, with far fewer ballots cast than the 35 percent of registered voters who participated in recent mayoral races.

Norwood, Reed and Borders were the front-runners in the crowded field for much of the campaign and battled for weeks over public safety and open government, as the issue of race loomed over the contest. Political observers say the race will continue to polarize voters along racial lines in the weeks before an anticipated Dec. 1 runoff.

Reed, whose momentum has swelled in recent weeks, told cheering supporters he was "ready to go for this city."

"I will fight for you," Reed told the crowd. "I will stand up for you and we will make Atlanta the city on a hill again."

Atlanta has had a long line of black mayors since 1973. Current Mayor Shirley Franklin, the city's first female in the office, was barred from seeking a third term.

Borders thanked supporters at her Election Night headquarters downtown.

"I am conceding the race," Borders said about three hours after the polls close. "I'm not going to talk about endorsements tonight."

In Detrit, professional basketball Hall of Famer Dave Bing was re-elected Detroit mayor.

The .....

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Yesterdays election results turned out to be a small success, but not much. The good thing is most people who voted for obama didn't turn out to vote and the other who did voted republican because the candidate was weak in many areas. One thing's for sure this election, despite what you see on foxnews, had no affect on Obama. Foxnews, again, just as they did with the olympics, made this election about obama. If anything it may have energized democrats.

by   
Dkg316
November 4, 2009, 11:57 am
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What we are seeing is the "stage being set" for the elections of the House, Senate, and Congress in 2010.

The Republicans will win big next year, and will block everything that Obama puts forth.

Obama is FINISHED sad as it is to say.

Regardless that I like Obama, I am not sure what to make of his administration yet [regardless if its early or not], because he has rescinded some of his promises, and has yet to show anything.

While the economy could change for the better by Spring and help Obama/Dems nothing is guaranteed.

by   
A_day_in_the_life
November 4, 2009, 11:54 am
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Its funny to see you again ---Mikkman---, where was all your ranting and raving about the dude that killed 11 WOMEN in Cleveland, OH??

Wasnt it YOU who was whining over the fact that those 80 year sentenced criminals in NC should be set free by Gov. Perdue?

YOUR OPINIONS ARE WORTHLESS Mikkaman, because its YOUR type of thinking that causes PSYCHOS like that serial killer to be let go early.

Your opinion is WORTHLESS, and SUBSTANTIATED by the retarded comments/ policies you and your boys promoted on that prisoner release story.

by   
A_day_in_the_life
November 4, 2009, 11:47 am
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Oh snap, it looks like our time was short lived with Obama. Oh well, a black man had his momemt, albeit brief.

by   
Jiggy5
November 4, 2009, 11:15 am
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The media and all those representing theses types of information forums tend to get it wrong. The local elections in Virginia and New Jersey were not a referendum on Obama's presidency. They were just local elections in two states that have a history of electing Republicans for public office. The norm was changed when Obama carried these states during his election. Now, things are just getting back to normal.

by   
Jerryc1
November 4, 2009, 10:32 am
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I say Let all the republicans back in power because they KNOW whats best for the country. Beacuse america has turned into a Socialist country, Marxist country,Facisim. u know" NOrthKOREA' so why not let Republicans back in power and THEY Can Fix all of this (which they have never fixed anyhting before). I just understand people Politics is nothing but HEAD GAMES and American people are THE TRICK ( YOu suckers)

by   
Milkkman
November 4, 2009, 10:11 am
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IT doesnt matter if obama get tougher. WHo ever can Spread the most lies about the other is what america will vote for. Bottom line and the sad part about it these people fall for it****her its dem or repbulican. This country is headed for the bottom and we will be left to argue over SCRAPS. Independents are Like a spoiled CHILD if they cant get what the want to go to the next person.. WHAT A COUNTRY!!!!

by   
Milkkman
November 4, 2009, 10:05 am
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IF OBAMA DOESN'T GETTING TOUGHER AND STAND ON WHAT HE SAID HE WAS ABOUT, IT JUST WONT BE CONGRESSMEN, BUT IT WILL BE HIM THAT FIND TROUBLE IN THE HOUSE......

by   
Wreeves
November 4, 2009, 9:56 am
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tim kaine should be replaced as the dnc chair coz he let this happen. when howard dean was running the dnc, commericals were running all the time and he was fighitng back. with time kaine, it became a dead silence since he took over. oh boy can you imagine what hogboss and rightes are going to say today?

by   
Quita32
November 4, 2009, 9:36 am
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i hope that democrats and president obama start to re-think about their policies so they have no choice but to fight back or else lose more seats in congress. republicans won yesterday but they still need to repair their party too. progressives and independents must get rid of moderate democrats who don't give a damn about them especially if they are representing southern states. democrats better take a playbook from republicans meaning keep fighting and stop sitting on the sidelines like a loser.

by   
Quita32
November 4, 2009, 9:33 am
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2010 is crucial because our votes must mattter because we are going against teabaggers(racist ones) to do anything to bring down the democrats and barack. we also should send a strong message to barack too because he has to be strong to fight and stop kissing butts for approval. it isn't going to work therefore when it comes to 2010, its bout the economy and partisan politics but some people don't want health care yet blacks, whites and hispanics are suffering to pay higher premiums while insurance companies keep making money.

by   
Quita32
November 4, 2009, 9:28 am
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when deeds talked bout barack and washington d.c., it was a huge mistake therefore he should have kept his mouth shut. corzine should got out the unions, blacks, hispanics and women voters in certain areas but he didn't accomplished it. i was very mad that ny city re-elected bloomberg instead voting for thompson but next time won't be so lucky for bloomerberg.

by   
Quita32
November 4, 2009, 9:24 am
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regardless of what party that you're affliated with, all blacks should have voted especially in virgina because the redistricting rules will change and may lose some seats. mainstream media wants pres. obama to fail along with republicans so it's a wake up call to the white house as well blacks too. history has already been achieved last november so we must take care of our agendas too. sitting at home on special elections isn't helping therefore we must participate in all elections so our economic issues matters.

by   
Quita32
November 4, 2009, 9:18 am
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I agree, yesterday's turn out was disappointing. True, turn out is way down when it's not a big election such as the presidential election to go along with local elections. But come on people get back in the game. Local elections are just as important. Your vote is your voice.

by   
Hartrob1
November 4, 2009, 9:01 am
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We dropped the ball yesterday by not coming out to the polls. Hopefully, this will be a wake up call for us to get back on the wagon and support this presiden and our local community in 2010. The reason bad politicans are elected is when we do not vote. The Dem party did not come to the game like the Rep did. We got to get back into the game and we will in 2010. Black folks "Let's do it again in 2010" time to get hot.

by   
Mustang14
November 4, 2009, 8:55 am
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It's to early to believe the Rethugs are gaining ground. In my opinion it was a long shot for a Dem to win the mayorial election in Virginia. I agree that African Americans need to understand the importance of voting in local elections but there was not a puch by the Dems as it was during the national election...

by   
Dopamine
November 4, 2009, 8:47 am
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We do need to be consistent with our voting but honestly, voting is always down for the"sitting" party during off-year elections. We need to re-gather ourselves for 2010. I believe the Obama Administration will have plenty for us to claim victory about by then.

Don't buy the "right-wing" and media hypes. Stay steady and keep the faith. I believe in this country and the direction it has taken. Let's keep it going that way.

by   
Jeff0606
November 4, 2009, 8:06 am
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You just can't go out only for the presidential election folks an expect to gain and keep power. Next year is coming don't let the Republicans back in power we already don't have houses to live in out here they are just dying to put us back on a boat to Africa.

by   
ACL
November 4, 2009, 7:35 am
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How quickly we forget! As I watched the result come in last night, I was so disappointed to learn that a fraction of African-American voters turned out to vote in this election. We will NEVER have the agenda's that are so important to us taken seriously until we become more involved and active. We were so excited during Pres. Obama's campaign--is the honeymoon over. Do we truly understand that we need people in office (both nationally and locally) that will help support President Obama? How can we complain about better health care and better schools for our children.

by   
Alinataylor
November 4, 2009, 7:33 am
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Linda Thompson, (D) a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native who is a concern community member and President of the City Council on Tuesday made history three times.She became the first person to succeed Mayor Stephen R. Reed after his 28 years in office.
She is the city's first black female mayor. Linda had over 400 supporters who hit the streets with diligence. Harrisburg has not lost the Obama spirit.

by   
DIMPLES2439
November 4, 2009, 7:32 am
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