Democrat losses tied to fear, vengeance and ignorance

Last night, Democrats managed to hold on to the Senate, but lost the House. There are three clear explanations for this development: fear, vengeance and ignorance.

Fear
Republicans skillfully exploited Americans’ angst about high unemployment, and successfully sowed deeds of doubts in the minds of many Americans that the bailout package failed and that the stimulus was unsuccessful. This resulted in millions of Americans going to the polls yesterday voting not based on reason or rationality but on an unproven accusations that the Democratic majority was somehow eroding liberty and freedom.

Read the rest at The Loop.

Eyes on the prize: The races to watch in today's election

You’ve heard all pundits say that the midterm elections will be nothing but doom and gloom for Democrats – and they’re probably right. When I’m watching the elections returns roll in there are several races I’m going to pay attention to. First, I’m watching these races to see if strong Democrats that defend health care will do better than weak Democrats like Mississippi’s Travis Childers who consistently denounce Nancy Pelosi.

Second, I’m watching these races to see how large an impact the tea party has. If Republicans win, but many tea party candidates lose, maybe the movement will fizzle and die. If tea party candidates like Sharron Angle in Nevada and Christine O’Donnell in Delaware win, expect a lot more tea party talk the next two years.

On to the races.

Read the rest at The Loop.

Both Sides of The Loop Podcast

On this week's episode, Marvin King and Lenny McAllister cover minorities getting the frisk from NYC cops, Arizona's immigration law and civil rights, the anti-incumbent mood in American politics and Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court.