Rise of the Elephants: Senate

The people voted, the results are coming in and, the echoes of Americans shouting down the Obama agenda will be heard tomorrow in days, months and the two years to come.

Let's look at the Senate first. My predictions were a little short, but the 60-40 majority held by the Democrats in 2008 is now more balanced, with the Republicans gaining 6 seats. What I think should be noted is that in states where there was an open seat that Republicans were projected to win, they won in much bigger numbers than was expected. In New Hampshire, they had an effective candidate in Kelly Ayotte, who bridged Republican and Tea Party/Conservative support. Rand Paul handily won Kentucky and was helped by his opponent's shameful attack. Missouri was also thought to be closer, but was clearly a Republican win. The last minute drama in Florida proved to be of no consequence as Marco Rubio sailed. And on Marco Rubio, you heard it here, HE WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE 2012 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN TAMPA! The media and the Democrats misread these states.

Republicans gained in the following states that I called: Indiana, Arkansas, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois (Barack Obama's former Senate Seat)

Let's take a look at the states that went the other way than I predicted.

California: I thought Carly Fiorina ran a passionate campaign. That being said, she did not follow my format for winning the state. When looking at the map, she did well in Southern California (sans Los Angeles County...and I don't yet have specific numbers) and won no counties in the San Francisco Bay area. For a Republican to win, this is imperative. She did not do it and the voters, as a result sent Barbara Boxer back for another term.

Nevada: This one was a major target for Republicans. Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the country and Harry Reid can shoulder a lot of the blame for that as the Senate Majority Leader. I think Sharron Angle ran an excellent campaign, fared well in her debate against Harry Reid, yet didn't come up with enough votes. It was her lack of getting votes in Clark County (Las Vegas Metro Area) that did her in. Reports of shenannigans have been running rampant the past two weeks, with big news breaking today, but the plurality is likely too great for any legal challenges to be successful.

West Virginia: This is another one that baffles me! Manchin may be popular, but he has switched positions more than John Kerry! It saddens me that West Virginians symbolically voted away their bread and butter because he took a gun to Cap and Trade. At least they get to vote on him in two years and let's see if he keeps his promises. With Harry Reid returning, something tells me he won't.

Delaware: In looking at the map, Christine O'Donnell won Kent and Sussex County, but lost New Castle County. Sadly, the New Castle County voters were blind to the leadership of Chris Coons. Despite the withering attacks, and I've covered them all here, Christine O'Donnell stood strong and still received 40% of the vote. Further analyzing, I believe she would have had a better chance at winning had the "establishment Republicans" supported her. Karl Rove's comments were the equivalent of a taking a pipe to someone's knee and I still do not understand why he did this. Considering the media going after him (unfairly) during the Bush years and coming under the gun of Patrick Fitzgerald, I do not consider Karl Rove "establishment," yet still stand by the belief that his disdain for Christine O'Donnell was personal.

As of this writing, Colorado, Washington and Alaska (which in itself has been a crazy race, but we can deduce it will either be a Republican or a sore loser Republican to win) still haven't been determined.

In closing, Republicans, while not gaining the majority, fared well in the Senate by bringing the body more parity than in the past two years. Illinois voters especially, sent the President a shockwave message by not electing the Democrat. There will be no more "ram it down your throat" legislation and there may be more gridlock as there are no more filibuster-proof majorities. Republicans must remember why they were sent to Washington and that is to stop the Obama agenda. It will be those Republicans who will face rebuke if they attempt to make deals and compromise their principles. Again, we will see how all parties involved will react as we move forward.