Obama Voters Sit Election Out; Dems Lose N.J.

Date: Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 5:54 am
By: Associated Press


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.

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It is shame that Black folks have to have pep talks and rally just to vote..Time to support our President, which means voting in these primary elections, last time you sat out Bush got in twice..Do you really want republicans at the helm again, after they way they exposed theimselves duriing Obama's presidency.


by   
Broughtwaprice
November 5, 2009, 12:26 am
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This is why we don't have a Health Care bill already. People seem to think that we have done enough. The election was only the beginning, we have to keep working. If President Obama is to fulfill his promise, we have to be active on all fronts.


by   
Cjoh684546
November 4, 2009, 10:17 pm
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Yes I said it wake up...Latinas & Asians know what it means to taking a stand, when will we? Didn't we learn anything during the Pres. election and when MLK lived? We make plans for parties, games, shopping, weaving, but not voting? Maybe this is why we are always hit the hardest in crisis?. I'll be damned if I let the Governor and U.S. Senate race go by in FL like in VA or NJ..I don't care if the Dem. Candidate is weak or strong …will vote for them to help Pres. Obama keep power in the long run....you got to see the big picture to changing or we will be the ones suffering…WAKE UP!


by   
Nobe
November 4, 2009, 2:00 pm
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Rethuglican supporters are trying to make the loses in NY and Virginia a referendum on the Obama Administration but history tells the true story. For the last 5 guboritorial races dating back to 1989 has always elected the party WHICH IS NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE. When Clinton was in office Rethugs cleaned up in both states (1993 & 97)... The Dems swept when "Daddy Bush" was in the White House (1998, 2001, 2005). Do ur homework.. Class is out..


by   
Dopamine
November 4, 2009, 1:27 pm
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All I want to know is when will black people step up and take charge. Pres. Obama empowered us to step up, not baby sit us. If we want change we have to take it by going to the polls for every election. Dems need to also be sure to put a strong candidate forth...been known to have weaknesses there....GET YO SHIGGETY TOGETHER BLACK FOLK ...every other race understands this but us...the Inaguration party is over...wake up and stop blaming Pres. Obama for the foolishness you know we are known for when it comes to voting !!!!


by   
Nobe
November 4, 2009, 1:23 pm
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Atlanta mayoral candidate and state Senator Kasim Reed addresses his supporters after forcing a run-off Tuesday night. (AP)

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