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| Voters in Ohio, Source: washingtonpost.com |
The results of Tuesday’s elections across the country have given
a new hope for Democrats in regards to the 2012 election. Democratic victories occurred yesterday in decisions
from ballot initiatives to legislative contests and gubernatorial races. Some of
these victories are very significant such as Ohio’s decision to repeal the restriction
on collective bargaining. This victory, Democrats insist, is a sign that there
is a concern with Republican policies and a determination to get rid of such
unwanted policies. Although there were definite losses for Democrats, their overall
feeling is optimistic. The results of yesterday’s election prove that there is
still a significant presence of Obama supporters in important states that are
passionate and active.
The decision
in Ohio seems to be the most significant win for democrats. Labor unions came
out no top as they repealed the legislation enacted by Republican Governor John
Kasich. The controversial policy would restrict union workers the right to collectively
bargain. There has been a strong distaste for the policy from union workers
since it was passed last year. The win to undo the restriction gives a huge
statement to Republicans that there is still a strong union presence in the
state. Democrats across the country see this win in Ohio as significant in what
to expect in 2012. There was a push by the Obama campaign to organize voters in
Ohio that had gone largely unnoticed. The win is a sure sign that President
Obama’s supporters still have the passion and determination that won the 2008
election. The ability to organize voters and subsequently win an election is
vital for Obama in 2012 and this Ohio win contests to that.
However,
Ohio is by no means a sure state for Democrats in the 2012 election. While
labor unions and the state succeeded in undoing a policy, Ohio also voted to
ban the individual mandate to purchase health insurance. This mandate is obviously an important aspect
of President Obama’s health care plan. This vote is seen as a loss for
Democrats and its result highlights the unpopularity of Obama’s plan in many
parts of the country. So with a victory
came a loss for Democrats in Ohio. The result gives insight to the election in
2012 that will no doubt be a struggle for both parties.
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| Opposition to Anti-Abortion legislation in Mississippi, Source: politico.com |
Other wins for Democrats in yesterday’s election were in
states like Mississippi, Kentucky, and Arizona. A very surprising win was the decision
in Mississippi to vote down the amendment that would redefine “personhood” in
the state constitution. The redefinition would give full rights of “persons” to
unborn fetuses. If this amendment was passed it would result in heavy
consequences including the prohibiting some contraceptives and in-vitro fertilization
and even the possible requirement of criminal investigation of miscarriages. The
amendment was expected to pass easily in the deeply conservative state of
Mississippi however, the legislation failed to gain support due to the broad
terms and unclear consequences of such a decision. Another win was seen in Kentucky
as the Democrat Steve Beshear won his second term as Governor. In Arizona a
tight race commences between Senate President Republican Russell Pearce and his
challenger and fellow Republican Jerry Lewis. Pearce is the creator of the
controversial Arizona anti-immigration law. Democrats favor the challenge because
it proves the lack of support for such anti-immigrant rhetoric, even within the
Republican Party. There were also various wins across the country by Democrats in
mayoral races, Senate seat races, and the establishment of majorities in state
chambers like New Jersey; a state where Democrats were able to prevail despite
Governor Chris Christies public campaign for the GOP.
The
results of Tuesday’s elections across the country in many ways foreshadow what
could come in the general election of 2012. Democrats see their own victories as
a sure sign of rejuvenation for their voters and the proof that the Obama
campaign can still create passion and organize within a community. However, their
losses also prove that the 2012 election will be a very strategic struggle. The
swing states are surely up for grabs. The Obama campaign must also focus on the
states he won in 2008 that are now mostly disapproving of the president’s
performance. It will be interesting to see where the president will focus his
campaigning and if they correlate with the wins and losses from yesterday’s
elections.
Sources:
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