Under-reported

[bruorton]

How could I let Election Day go by without a political comment?  Well, I'm sure you're hearing as much as you want to about the outcome yesterday, so I won't say much about the general results.  I'll just add my 2 cents that -- despite following the details of politics as a borderline obsession -- I was astounded to get out of bed this morning and learn that pending recounts, Democrats were poised to take the Senate.  Never expected that.  (Now it looks like the recounts may not even be necessary.)

Instead, I just thought I'd throw out there a few things you probably haven't heard in the news regarding this election.

1) Historic Moment: Sure, people are running here and there comparing this Democratic wave to victories by one party or the other in various past years.  But they may not be mentioning that in one respect, this year is unique -- no matter how large the victory, the winning party has always lost a few seats as well; for instance, Republicans lost 4 House seats in 1994 even as they won big.  This year, there is no Republican in any House, Senate, or Governor's seat succeeding a Democrat; no Dem incumbents defeated, no open seats lost.  No party has achieved that, ever, in U.S . history.

2) State Legislatures: Two days ago, state government bodies nationwide were pretty evenly divided -- Republicans controlled both houses in 20 states, Democrats in 19, and 10 were split (Nebraska has a single non-partisan legislative body).  These groups form the 'bench' or launching pad for almost all future Congressmen, Senators, and Governors -- Senator-elect Jon Tester in Montana, for instance, headed his state's Senate after Democrats took control there in 2004.  

While a few seats remain to be called, the outcome at this point looks like a significant shift to 24 Democratic, 15 Republican, and 10 split, with Democrats taking over 9 legislative bodies nationwide... including two in New Hampshire, where Democrats have won more in that state than they have in a century.  That compares pretty favorably with gains of 6 among governors, and 6 in the Senate. (Coda to point 1 -- no Republicans captured any Democratic legislative bodies, either.)

3) Personal Investment: Just a minor detail, but Virginia elected the first member of Congress tied so closely to the Iraq War -- Senator-elect Jim Webb's son shipped out just a month or so ago.

4) Turnout: I don't think anyone has specific figures on turnout yet, but it looks pretty clear that it was the highest for a mid-term election since the Civil Rights Era.  In some places, it was actually higher than the '04 Presidential election, which broke most recent records.

If you feel like it, sound off about your thoughts on this election, or mention any interesting details you've come across.