November 4, 2009

Republicans seized political control of Virginia and ousted the Democratic governor of New Jersey on Tuesday in a troubling sign for President Obama and his party a year ahead of the 2010 midterm elections.

Republican Bob McDonnell's victory in Virginia over Democrat Creigh Deeds was a triumph for a GOP looking to rebuild after being booted from power in national elections in 2006 and 2008. It also was a setback for the White House in a swing state that was a crucial part of Obama's electoral landslide just a year ago. Republicans swept the statewide elections.

"Bob McDonnell's victory gives Republicans tremendous momentum heading into 2010," declared Haley Barbour, chairman of the Republican Governors Association. "His focus on ideas and pocketbook issues will serve as a model for Republicans running next year."

And in New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie knocked off the incumbent, Gov. Jon Corzine.

Christie, a 47-year-old former federal prosecutor, is the first member of his party in a dozen years to win a statewide contest in heavily Democratic New Jersey.

The president had personally campaigned for Deeds and Corzine, raising the stakes in low-energy off-year elections.

"Tomorrow, starting tomorrow, we are going to pick Trenton up and turn it upside down," Christie said in his acceptance speech in Parsippany in front of cheering supporters.