The Midterm Obama Repudiation Referendum

As the New York Times put it, Riding a wave of discontent, “Republicans took control of the Senate on Tuesday night, expanded their hold on the House, and defended some of the most closely contested governors’ races, in a repudiation of President Obama.”

In another Times article it was reported that Obama complained that the Republican victory should not be blamed on him:

“He doesn’t feel repudiated.”

Obama should feel repudiated. As summarized below, the Republican wave was big and Obama made a monster mistake when he nationalized the midterm election telling his audience at Northwestern University his policies were on the ballot:

Now, I am not on the ballot this fall. Michelle is pretty happy about that. But make no mistake: These policies are on the ballot — every single one of them.

You can watch a video clip of Obama’s mistake here.

Here’s a summary of the midterm Obama repudiation referendum.

U.S. SENATE

The Republicans regained control of the U.S. Senate by picking up eight seats, so far.

Alaska: Republican Dan Sullivan defeated incumbent Democrat [mc_name name=’Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’B001265′ ] 49%-45.
Arkansas: Republican [mc_name name=’Rep. Tom Cotton (R-AR)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’C001095′ ] defeated incumbent Democrat [mc_name name=’Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’P000590′ ] 57%-39%.
Colorado: Republican [mc_name name=’Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’G000562′ ] defeated incumbent Democrat [mc_name name=’Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’U000038′ ] 49%-45% (94.64% reporting).
Georgia: Republican David Perdue defeated Democrat Michelle Nunn 53%-45% to replace retiring Republican [mc_name name=’Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’C000286′ ].
Iowa: Republican state Sen. Joni Ernst defeated Democrat [mc_name name=’Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’B001259′ ] 52%-44% to replace retiring Democrat [mc_name name=’Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’H000206′ ].
Montana: Republican Rep. Steve Daines defeated Democrat Amanda Curtis 58%-40% to replace appointed incumbent Democrat [mc_name name=’Sen. John Walsh (D-MT)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’W000818′ ].
North Carolina: Republican Thom Tillis defeated incumbent Democrat [mc_name name=’Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’H001049′ ] 49%-47%.
West Virginia: Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito defeated Democrat Secretary of State Natalie Tennant 62%-34.5 to replace retiring Democrat Sen. Jay Rockefeller.

There are still two races that could still increase the Republican margin in the Senate.

Louisiana: Incumbent Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu and Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy and will face off in a Dec. 6 runoff after finishing first and second respectively in a field of eight.
Virginia: the race between Incumbent Democrat [mc_name name=’Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)’ chamber=’senate’ mcid=’W000805′ ] and Republican Ed Gillespie a former Chairman of the Republican National Committee is within recount territory and therefore undecided.

U.S. HOUSE

The Republicans gained at least 14 seats in the House so they will surpass the 246 seats they held in Harry S. Truman was President more than 60 years ago.

GOVERNORSHIPS

Republicans have netted a gain of at least three governorships, with wins in Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts and losing Pennsylvania.

And while the Republicans retained a number of governorships, none was more noteworthy than Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker who won his third governor’s race in four years — two regular elections and a recall election.