Deseret News | Elections demolish great realignment myth of '08

Reader comments
Charles Krauthammer: Elections demolish great realignment myth of '08

MormonDem | 1:18 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009

The problem with this analysis, of course, is that in the exit polls voters in NJ and VA said their vote had nothing to do with Obama, and in fact his approval ratings in both places was above 50%.

The GOP's numbers are still horrible. The self-ID GOP number is in the 20s. Americans trust the Dems more that the GOP nearly 2 to 1.

Moreover, governors don't vote on federal legislation. Congressmen and Senators do. The dems picked up two congressmen in the 2009 election, one of them in a district that had elected Republicans every two years since 1872. Both those guys voted successfully on the health care bill tonight.

Himself | 8:50 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009

2 governors switch and Chuck sees a tidal wave.

Doug G | 9:54 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009

Charles, see the article above yours "Recent elections offered few new themes, trends". I guess you see in it what you want to see, one way or the other.

Comments continue below

mark | 12:21 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009

Chuck asks, "If the difference between Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds was so great, how come when the same two men ran against each other statewide for attorney general four years ago the race was a virtual dead heat?"

"Creigh Deeds ran an awful campaign, even saying he'd reject a healthcare public option. As a follow-up poll confirmed, he lost major support as a result."-Paul Loeb

One would think that someone commenting on political issues would be aware of this and not have to ask the question.

INCONVENIENT TRUTH | 12:27 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009

Charlie forgot to mention NY 23.

The TSUNAMI of Charlie's CONSERVATISM ( ie. REPUBLICAN REDUX) FAILED.

This must be some "myth" as well.

Lute | 2:59 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009

Let's see. How many states switched from GOP to Demo in '08 vs '04? And we're supposed to think that all that's now out the window by the GOP taking two!! governorships? I have to think a "movement" is made of bigger stuff.

dave | 3:47 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009

Charles, your assessment of this country's political state is absolutely correct. People have to stop listening to "just words, just speeches", and start looking at the principles these incompetent politicians live by, on both sides of the aisle. If we want freedom, we'd better look to principles, not people. These principles for peace and prosperity should be structured to permanently protect the people from the human frailties of their rulers. If we don't relearn these long-lost principles, we will continue to free-slide into the control of these power-seeking marxists.

Hypocrisy | 6:46 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009

Sooooooo what's the GOP's approval rating right now? LOL.

If the GOP is going to make a comeback, then they need to start scoring points and improve their approval rating.

Until they do this, their party will continue to be irrelevant.

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