the GOP controls more state legislative seats and chambers than it has since the 1920s.
By Karl Rove
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Tuesdays election was epic. Republicans gained over 60 seats in the House and 6 in the Senate. Theyll now occupy 8 additional governors mansions & at least 500 more seats in state legislatures.
Voters understand Mr. Obama is president for two more years and retains the veto but they will insist the GOP at least fight for change.
The damage to the White House and the Democratic Party is severe and will be long-lasting. On the eve of redistricting the GOP controls more state legislative seats and chambers than it has since the 1920s.
The GOP picked up more House seats than in any election since 1938 leaving Democrats with the smallest number in the House since 1946. Republican gains in the Senate are roughly twice the post-World War II midterm average. When Mr. Obama took office there were 22 Republican governors: Now there will be at least 29.
In Ohio Michigan Pennsylvania Indiana North Carolina Alabama Wisconsin and Minnesota Republicans gained control of both legislative houses and will dominate redistricting adding to the number of states where the GOP will draw lines that will boost their numbers in the House for the next decade. In other states like Colorado Republicans gained a seat at the table by winning at least one chamber.
Tuesdays results mean Mr. Obama no longer has the luxury of jamming through legislation solely with his partys support. A week after saying it was time to punish our enemies the president will have to find ways to reach common ground with them. In yesterdays press conference the president mentioned earmarks and energy policy as two places to start.
Republicans must not delude themselves: The voters didnt throw out the Democrats because they are enraptured with the GOP. The polling data suggest that many voters while warming to the party still remain nervous about it. Republicans are on probation. And whether they get off of it depends on whether they do what they said they would on the campaign trail.
50 incumbent Democratic congressmen lost including 22 freshmen. An extraordinary 9 senior Democrats with 18 years or more of service also went down including three committee chairs:
- South Carolinas John Spratt
- Missouris Ike Skelton and
- Minnesotas Jim Oberstar.
Their offense was to back the Obama-Pelosi agenda.
Among the few vulnerable Democrats to survive were those like Indianas Joe Donnelly and Pennsylvanias Jason Altmire who emphasized their opposition to policies like ObamaCare.
Some of the presidents closest personal allies lostincluding his pick-up basketball buddy Alexi Giannoulias who failed to keep the Senate seat formerly held by Mr. Obama.
The GOP also beat many candidates whom Mr. Obama stumped for last week like Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Apparently the presidents presence so close to the election reminded undecided voters why they were upset.
Democrats didnt suffer as many losses in the Senate as many predicted. This was largely because Democratic candidates either trumpeted their opposition to Mr. Obamas policies (West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin) or vilified their Republican opponents (Senate Majority Leader Harry Reids final ad called his GOP competitor pathological).
And Democratic losses could get worse in the next election. In 2012 three times as many Senate Democrats as Republicans face the votersand many are from red states. Two more years of voting for the Obama agenda could do many of them in.
The publics deep dissatisfaction with the failed stimulus bill uncontrolled spending and sweeping health-care reform gave rise to the tea party movement. This phenomenon provoked as much as an 8 increase in turnout according to George Mason University Prof. Michael McDonald who estimates turnout at around 90 million up from 82 million in the 2006 midterm. Independents went 55 for the GOP an 11-percentage-point gain from 2008 and a 16-point jump from the last midterm.
Voters want Republicans to press for reformregardless of the obstacles placed in their way by Mr. Obama. They understand Mr. Obama is president for two more years and retains the veto but they will insist Republicans at least fight for change.
Republicans should be willing to compromise on details. Ronald Reagan was right when he said Id rather get 80 of what I want than to go over the cliff with my flag flying. But voters will not tolerate compromise on fundamental principles.
Americans clearly want the new Congress to focus on economic growth and creating jobs in the private sector. Real spending reductions an extension of the Bush tax cuts ending earmarks using the returns from the bailouts to reduce the debt and turning Fannie and Freddie into private companies should all be at the top of the GOPs agenda.
Republicans must also tackle ObamaCare. They must try to repeal or defund it. But they should also present conservative alternativessuch as permitting Americans to buy health insurance across state lines allowing small businesses to pool their risk to get the same discounts that big businesses get giving the tax advantage of having insurance to the individual as well as the employer and passing medical-liability reform to end junk lawsuits.
The GOP should also take up entitlement reform. Voters will not judge them to be fiscally serious if they avoid the issue.
All of this needs to be advanced by a party that is seen as hopeful and optimistic about America while remaining humble about itself. The next speaker of the House John Boehner hit just the right notes on Tuesday night.
President Obama brought on the worst thumping a party has received since the middle of the 20th century by offending Americas conservative instincts. The public has spoken. Now its up to the Republicans to deliver.
Mr. Rove is the former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush.
