Midterm Election Keywords
Obama
The first, and possibly most important word in this election was Obama. Republicans made the individual races a referendum on the President, and Democrats let them. Some may even say Democrats assisted them by backing away from the President and his policies. While it would make sense to distance yourself from a President with low approval ratings, this may have actually cost some Democrats their elections. For instance, Alison Lundergan Grimes’ failure to answer whether or not she voted for Obama was the swing Mitch McConnell needed to wrap up his senate race. Her refusal to answer was an attempt to pander to Republican voters, but in the end it may have cost her the vote of many Democrats she needed to win in Kentucky.
Issues
Democrats, by allowing the GOP to run on Obama and not the issues, lost a huge opportunity. Exit polls show that the biggest concern among voters is still the economy. Instead of running from Obama, Democrats should have been emphasizing the recent good news about our economy. The unemployment rate is below 6% for the first time since 2008, and it was accomplished two years earlier than Romney proposed in his run for President. We have seen a steady increase in job creation. The stock market is also up about ten thousand points in the last six years. The deficit is shrinking and we saw our first quarterly budget surplus since 2007. Combine that with the decrease in gas prices, and there is no doubt that there has been an improvement. If Democrats made this the focal point of the election, the end results would have been much different.
Another issue Democrats could have focused on is the minimum wage. Barack Obama proposed raising the federal minimum wage to over ten dollars an hour. Republican candidates oppose an increase despite the fact that a vast majority nationwide are in favor of increasing the minimum wage. Many states did not wait for Congress to act and allowed people to vote on a wage increase. It passed in many states that had it on the ballot, including deep red states like Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. This is a concern that motivated voters, and Democratic candidates did not make it enough of an issue.
Turnout
Midterm elections always tend to have a lower voter turnout than in presidential election years. This was never more prevalent than in the 2014 midterm elections, where we saw the lowest voter turnout in recent history. Less than half of eligible voters cast a ballot this election. Early indications are that the voting pool does not match the demographic of registered voters, and is an even worse depiction of the population in general. In this election, active voters skewed older than the real population. Republicans also had a much higher level of voter turnout than Democrats. Voter turnout, by percentage of population, was also much lower in urban areas and among minorities. Voter turnout may have been one of the biggest reasons so many seats changed hands this year.
Fear
Fear played a huge roll in the midterm elections. From ISIS to Ebola, Republicans used fear to motivate their base. Voters responded emotionally rather that rationally. Mainstream media is partly to blame for their failure to present the facts, but GOP fear mongering certainly did not help, and at times became counterproductive. Republicans played to people’s emotions, knowing that fear is a driving factor. At times, the misinformation became laughable. The GOP linked immigration and border control with ISIS and Ebola, and despite all the facts, their base ate it up. This certainly won the GOP some votes and possibly decided an election or two.
Money
Since the Citizens United ruling turned cash into speech and corporations into people, election spending has gone out of control. The 2014 midterm elections were the most expensive elections in American history. An estimated four billion dollars was spent this election cycle. That includes individual contributors, dark money groups, party committees and PACs. There were also more negative ads than ever before. The candidates who spent the most money did not always win, but there is a strong correlation between spending and winning. Rich donors and corporations certainly bought a few elections for both parties. You can thank the Supreme Court for that.
Change
ObamaCare
The final keyword is ObamaCare, but this is more about the role it did not play in this election. Exit polls showed that voter concern about health care was lower than most other issues. Republican candidates must have seen this coming, as they, for the most part anyway, backed away from attacking the Affordable Care Act. Maybe many Republicans see it working, and they know voters are now seeing the benefits. Last year, ObamaCare was the biggest talking point of the upcoming elections, but once the website issues were resolved and the law actually started working, it became a losing effort for Republicans to keep fighting the law, at least until they got control of the Senate.
What it Means Moving Forward
I know many liberals are predicting doomsday following the election results, but I think it is an overreaction. I admit, I can see this going horribly wrong, but I also see how this can be a good thing. It would be a testament to the Obama administration if, in the last two years of his presidency, he can work with a Republican House and Senate and pass meaningful legislation. Republicans ran against the current policies, but offered no real replacements for these policies. This will force Republicans in the House and Senate to actually govern. If they succeed, it may make Obama look a little better than he does today. If the GOP fails, however, they will feel the effects in the 2016 elections.
It is still unclear what the future will hold for the Affordable Care Act, immigration reform, minimum wage, or many of the other issues the Senate will be dealing with in the future but, hopefully, this will end some of the partisan gridlock within the Senate. One area where this will certainly have a negative effect is on Barrack Obama’s appointees. Even with Democrats controlling the Senate Obama found it difficult and,at times, impossible to get his appointees approved. In fact, we still do not have a surgeon general. Expect this problem to persist, and possibly get worse now that the GOP controls both chambers.
I do not believe this election proves that we are moving to a more conservative ideology. I believe this election was more the result of voter turnout, gerrymandering, and low approval ratings for a sitting President. We saw the same thing in 2006 when Democrats took control of both chambers while Bush was mired in low approval ratings. Liberal policies, like minimum wage, actually did very well on ballot initiatives. And even though they didn’t win any of the important races, Democrats gained ground in some deep red states, making many elections much closer than projected. Despite losing the Senate, this must be seen as some sort of progress.
Click here for reuse options!Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: James Cahill
I am a Communications major currently working on my Bachelors. My aim is to educate and inform. I will always speak the truth, and tell it like it is, whether people want to hear it or not. I would like to put a stop to the propaganda and misinformation that plagues mainstream media. I am a fan of facts, numbers , and logic.
27 responses to Midterm Election Keywords
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Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 13:02
The mid-term election proves that there is a lot of lazy arse people out there that could not be bothered to vote. Or, they like the status quo.. In either case those who did not vote have nothing to complain about and they can sit back down in their lazy chair eating their bon-bons while their collective arses get bigger. Really Ticked !!
An American in Canada November 5th, 2014 at 13:06
Exactly. Now we’ll have to watch as nothing gets done but now they don’t have the Democrats to blame..
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 13:48
You can count on filibusters.. and you might also know that the repugs in the Senate and House will be squeezing the Prez.. trying to make the Dems look really bad for the 2016 election.. a lot of pressure is on him.. and they will want to get rid of a lot of things.. especially de-regulation ..tax cuts (again for the rich) The XL Pipeline ..there is talk of another one through New England also..
It won’t be easy..
Jimmy Cahill November 5th, 2014 at 14:11
Yeah the filibusters and the XL pipeline are major problems we will be facing. Plus, would not be the least bit surprised if they overturn his new environmental standards.
tiredoftea November 5th, 2014 at 14:52
More likely will attempt to defund the EPA!
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 17:41
I wouldn’t put anything pass them scumbags.. our only hope would be an asteroid striking republicans when they are in their little committees and the Democrats are not there.. lol
tiredoftea November 5th, 2014 at 19:24
Yeah, effective but lot’s of collateral damage!
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 17:40
That’s where the wheeling and dealing comes in..it might go something like “We will give you a choice environmental/ACA or another tax cut to the top 1%”
James Cahill November 5th, 2014 at 13:24
I’m not sure if it is laziness. A big part of it was misinformation, the media played a huge role there. The other part is voting availability. Move elections from Tuesday, hold them all weekend instead, or even make election day a national holiday. I guarantee this will lead to more people voting, but as we know that is the last thing the GOP wants.
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 13:45
I have been voting since the 60’s.. I have not missed even one election.. I worked all sorts of hours but I always made sure to vote. There isn’t any excuse why someone could not vote. The unemployed have no reason not to vote..IF a person is going to be out of town for their job – Absentee Ballot, if they cannot leave their bed – Absentee Ballot.. the state/feds give us the opportunity and as many write – “It’s my right”, but many of them did not do so.
If for one reason or another a person can vote from 6am till the time the poll closes.. gawd.. if one cannot get themselves out of bed 1/2-1 hour earlier than they do not feel it is that important.. or after work instead of hitting the bar scene .. like I wrote I worked all different hours for close to 40-45 years of working.. I never missed any.. We do not need a special holiday to vote.. I am sure people will come that hadn’t before – but there will still be people not voting.. mid-terms are mostly like this.. but I did expect more than around 2 million votes for Governor of Massachusetts.. Coakley missed it by very little – 3 candidates stole approx 80,000 votes (2 indep.another 1 some mongrel party).. and Baker took it with apprx 48.5% ..Coakley was around 47%.. .. Every vote counts..if people bothered to do so.
I understand your logic about holiday or weekend.. people would be free to vote.. however.. many thousands work holidays and weekends too.. I use to work a full time job 70-75 hours.. plus a part-time job 20-25 hours a week and managed..
tracey marie November 5th, 2014 at 17:56
early voting is available to all, there is no excuse
mea_mark November 5th, 2014 at 16:17
Democrats and Obama took a beating from the media that wasn’t countered. The non-stop negativity from Fox and other outlets that just isn’t countered with positive news or talk really hurt. The media has become one-sided and seems to ignore the positive things that have happened. If the democrats are going to win they need to figure out how to say positive things a lot more often, like always. Letting the negative narrative of the right go relativity unchecked is a big mistake.
Really good article, sums things up pretty good.
tracey marie November 5th, 2014 at 17:55
no true, I have spoken to hundreds of 18-30 year old people and most said they will not vote.
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 14:02
The mid-term election proves that there is a lot of lazy arse people out there that could not be bothered to vote. Or, they like the status quo.. In either case those who did not vote have nothing to complain about and they can sit back down in their lazy chair eating their bon-bons while their collective arses get bigger. Really Ticked !!
An American in Canada November 5th, 2014 at 14:06
Exactly. Now we’ll have to watch as nothing gets done but now they don’t have the Democrats to blame..
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 14:48
You can count on filibusters.. and you might also know that the repugs in the Senate and House will be squeezing the Prez.. trying to make the Dems look really bad for the 2016 election.. a lot of pressure is on him.. and they will want to get rid of a lot of things.. especially de-regulation ..tax cuts (again for the rich) The XL Pipeline ..there is talk of another one through New England also..
It won’t be easy..
Jimmy Cahill November 5th, 2014 at 15:11
Yeah the filibusters and the XL pipeline are major problems we will be facing. Plus, would not be the least bit surprised if they overturn his new environmental standards.
tiredoftea November 5th, 2014 at 15:52
More likely will attempt to defund the EPA!
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 18:41
I wouldn’t put anything pass them scumbags.. our only hope would be an asteroid striking republicans when they are in their little committees and the Democrats are not there.. lol
tiredoftea November 5th, 2014 at 20:24
Yeah, effective but lot’s of collateral damage!
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 18:40
That’s where the wheeling and dealing comes in..it might go something like “We will give you a choice environmental/ACA or another tax cut to the top 1%”
James Cahill November 5th, 2014 at 14:24
I’m not sure if it is laziness. A big part of it was misinformation, the media played a huge role there. The other part is voting availability. Move elections from Tuesday, hold them all weekend instead, or even make election day a national holiday. I guarantee this will lead to more people voting, but as we know that is the last thing the GOP wants.
Par4thecourse November 5th, 2014 at 14:45
I have been voting since the 60’s.. I have not missed even one election.. I worked all sorts of hours but I always made sure to vote. There isn’t any excuse why someone could not vote. The unemployed have no reason not to vote..IF a person is going to be out of town for their job – Absentee Ballot, if they cannot leave their bed – Absentee Ballot.. the state/feds give us the opportunity and as many write – “It’s my right”, but many of them did not do so.
If for one reason or another a person can vote from 6am till the time the poll closes.. gawd.. if one cannot get themselves out of bed 1/2-1 hour earlier than they do not feel it is that important.. or after work instead of hitting the bar scene .. like I wrote I worked all different hours for close to 40-45 years of working.. I never missed any.. We do not need a special holiday to vote.. I am sure people will come that hadn’t before – but there will still be people not voting.. mid-terms are mostly like this.. but I did expect more than around 2 million votes for Governor of Massachusetts.. Coakley missed it by very little – 3 candidates stole approx 80,000 votes (2 indep.another 1 some mongrel party).. and Baker took it with apprx 48.5% ..Coakley was around 47%.. .. Every vote counts..if people bothered to do so.
I understand your logic about holiday or weekend.. people would be free to vote.. however.. many thousands work holidays and weekends too.. I use to work a full time job 70-75 hours.. plus a part-time job 20-25 hours a week and managed..
tracey marie November 5th, 2014 at 18:56
early voting is available to all, there is no excuse
mea_mark November 5th, 2014 at 17:17
Democrats and Obama took a beating from the media that wasn’t countered. The non-stop negativity from Fox and other outlets that just isn’t countered with positive news or talk really hurt. The media has become one-sided and seems to ignore the positive things that have happened. If the democrats are going to win they need to figure out how to say positive things a lot more often, like always. Letting the negative narrative of the right go relativity unchecked is a big mistake.
Really good article, sums things up pretty good.
tracey marie November 5th, 2014 at 18:55
no true, I have spoken to hundreds of 18-30 year old people and most said they will not vote.
Intaglio Oglothorpe November 12th, 2014 at 01:07
And for all the apologetics if it had flipped the other way the shills at Kos and HuffPoseurs and here would be singing the praises of the mandate for socialism.
Democracy is always broken when people who deliver nothing lose. Got it.
To the rest of us its called popular feedback.