I think the only genuine disappointment from Tuesday is the result in Virginia, given that the takeover of the State Legislature for the GOP was the declared intent of Gov. Youngkin and they failed to deliver it. The other huge "successes" for the Dems is just typical media fantasy reporting. It would have been a true shocker if Daniel Cameron had taken over the governor's mansion in Kentucky. He fought a good fight and held a ray of hope on Tuesday morning, but Beshear's re-election was practically a foregone conclusion, even in "deep red Kentucky". Kentucky (my home state) rarely elects Republican governor's, it's just a fact despite near complete GOP success in all other statewide offices and in the state's delegation to D.C. When a Republican does win the top office, begininng on day one he receives hostile press from KY's 2 largest newspapers that rivals the coverage given Donald Trump or George W. Bush by the national media. Lastly, the Ohio result on the abortion protection amendment is anything but a surprise, I suspect the same result would occur in any and all states which would propose such a referendum. But Americans who do not want abortion outlawed are not necessarily Americans who favor abortion. It is a unique and uniquely volatile issue. I myself have been an opponent of abortion since before Roe v Wade (they lost me with their "no one can say when life begins" argument), but I recognize that the way to fewer abortions does not include outlawing it. We will never reach zero sacrficing of the unborn, but minimizing that number requires a far more nuanced approach than the cudgel of outlawing abortion provides. How counterproductive that method is has been demonstrated by the outcry and legislative/electoral outburst which has followed the Dobbs decision.
Good recommendation. Sean Trende's in-depth look at the key elections is excellent. I think he comes out basically where I did but with much more analysis to back it up.
I think the only genuine disappointment from Tuesday is the result in Virginia, given that the takeover of the State Legislature for the GOP was the declared intent of Gov. Youngkin and they failed to deliver it. The other huge "successes" for the Dems is just typical media fantasy reporting. It would have been a true shocker if Daniel Cameron had taken over the governor's mansion in Kentucky. He fought a good fight and held a ray of hope on Tuesday morning, but Beshear's re-election was practically a foregone conclusion, even in "deep red Kentucky". Kentucky (my home state) rarely elects Republican governor's, it's just a fact despite near complete GOP success in all other statewide offices and in the state's delegation to D.C. When a Republican does win the top office, begininng on day one he receives hostile press from KY's 2 largest newspapers that rivals the coverage given Donald Trump or George W. Bush by the national media. Lastly, the Ohio result on the abortion protection amendment is anything but a surprise, I suspect the same result would occur in any and all states which would propose such a referendum. But Americans who do not want abortion outlawed are not necessarily Americans who favor abortion. It is a unique and uniquely volatile issue. I myself have been an opponent of abortion since before Roe v Wade (they lost me with their "no one can say when life begins" argument), but I recognize that the way to fewer abortions does not include outlawing it. We will never reach zero sacrficing of the unborn, but minimizing that number requires a far more nuanced approach than the cudgel of outlawing abortion provides. How counterproductive that method is has been demonstrated by the outcry and legislative/electoral outburst which has followed the Dobbs decision.
May I also recommend https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2023/11/09/post-election_analysis_virginia_ohio_kentucky_and_mississippi_150035.html?
Good recommendation. Sean Trende's in-depth look at the key elections is excellent. I think he comes out basically where I did but with much more analysis to back it up.