Is it a Come Back? Republicans Pick up Two Gubernatorial Seats

Republicans Pick up Two Gubernatorial Seats

Just one year ago, the political pundits and even some Republicans claimed that conservatism was dead following Barack Obama’s 28 state victory. Those same pundits declared that a major political realignment had taken place, and that the Republican Party was essentially the political party of the southern white men. In their minds the Republican Party was dead. There were no victories in sight for the GOP.

A year is a lifetime in politics. The party that many thought could only win in southern states scored a huge victory in Virginia, a state that President Obama won with 53% of the vote. An ever larger upset was brewing in New Jersey, a democratic stronghold which Obama won with 57% of the vote. New Jersey elected a Republican governor when Chris Christie defeated incumbent Governor Jon Corzine.

Fueling both GOP victories in Virginia and New Jersey was support from independent voters. Chris Christie won the support of independents by a 58 percent to 31 percent margin in New Jersey, while Bob McDonald garnered 65 percent to 34 percent margin among independents in Virginia.

The two gubernatorial victories are huge victories for the Republican Governors Association. The victories also pad the stellar political resume of Governor Haley Barbour, the Chairman of the RGA. It also should allow to the RGA to post good fundraising numbers from now until next November.

A well funded RGA could also have an impact here in Iowa. It is critical for our Republican gubernatorial nominee to have RGA actively involved in the gubernatorial race in 2010. In the last gubernatorial campaign, the RGA contributed $1.4 million to help elect Jim Nussle. Without those types of investments in our gubernatorial candidate, it will be difficult to defeat Culver.

via theiowarepublican.com

Posted via web from Team Vander Plaats