Republicans Conquer the Senate

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell waves to supporters with his wife Elaine Chao at his midterm election night rally in LouisvilleRepublicans wrested control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats last night, setting the stage for potentially dramatic legislative showdowns with President Obama during the final two years of his already-catastrophic presidency.

After a GOP electoral wave wiped out several Democratic senators who supported Obamacare, around 11:15 p.m. Eastern time major media outlets projected Republicans would hold at least 51 seats in the Senate in January. In the approaching 114th Congress both chambers will be under GOP control and in a position to hinder Obama’s agenda if lawmakers so choose. It also clears the way for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to become the Senate’s first Republican majority leader since Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) left the post at the beginning of 2007.

The first big confrontation between Obama and Congress, a massively unpopular immigration amnesty that could trigger a major constitutional crisis, is already on its way. Several hours before the first polls closed in the East, ABC News reported that White House officials said the president would move forward with an executive order on immigration reform “no matter how big a shellacking Democrats” got Tuesday.

And what a shellacking Democrats received.

In Arkansas challenger Tom Cotton (R) picked off incumbent Mark Pryor (D). In Colorado Cory Gardner (R) defeated incumbent Mark Udall (D).

In Georgia, David Perdue (R) dispatched Michelle Nunn (D). Perdue garnered more than 50 percent of the vote, thereby avoiding a runoff election. The seat is currently held by retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R).

In Iowa Joni Ernst (R) triumphed over Bruce Braley (D), a sitting congressman. The seat is now held by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D). In Kansas, incumbent Pat Roberts (R) beat back a fierce challenge from Greg Orman, an Independent with close ties to Democrats.

In the Bluegrass State, incumbent Mitch McConnell (R) easily bested challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), Kentucky’s current secretary of state. Grimes refused in the closing days of the campaign to say if she voted for Obama for president.

In Montana Steve Daines (R) defeated extreme-left candidate Amanda Curtis (D). The seat is now held by John Walsh (D) who was embroiled in a plagiarism scandal.

Incumbent Jeanne Shaheen (D) in New Hampshire fended off a challenge from Scott Brown (R) who represented Massachusetts in the Senate from 2010 to 2013.

North Carolina incumbent Kay Hagan (D) was taken out by Thom Tillis (R). South Carolina’s Tim Scott (R) triumphed over Joyce Dickerson (D) to become the first popularly elected black senator in the South elected since Reconstruction.

In West Virginia U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R) beat Natalie Tennant (D) to take the seat of retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D).

Some races were unresolved at press time. Incumbent Mark Warner (D) and Ed Gillespie were separated by only 12,000 votes in Virginia. Results were not yet available in the showdown between Alaska’s Dan Sullivan (R) and incumbent Mark Begich (D).

In the House, Republicans added to their majority.

In New York’s 21st district, which borders Vermont to the East and Canada to the North and West, Elisa Stefanik (R) defeated Aaron Woolf (D). At age 30, Stefanik becomes the youngest woman to win a seat in the U.S. House, shattering the previous record set in 1973 by then-31 year old Elizabeth Holtzman, a Democrat, also from New York State.

Despite the larger GOP majority, it is far from certain if John Boehner (R-Ohio) will keep his job as Speaker of the House in January. There was a half-hearted challenge to Boehner’s leadership in January 2013. Conservative lawmakers are much angrier now after Boehner spent the past two years largely ignoring their concerns, and other candidates for his job may emerge.

Conservatives have fired early warning shots across the GOP establishment’s bow. Right-leaning lawmakers intend to press a wish list for the new GOP-controlled Senate after two years of obstruction by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). On the list is Obamacare repeal, border security, work for welfare requirements, and approval of the long-delayed Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Conservatives were enraged when earlier in the election cycle the GOP establishment targeted insurgent, Tea Party-backed conservatives for defeat, throwing the full force of the party apparatus at those who challenged sitting Republican lawmakers. However, not a single Senate challenge to any Republican incumbents succeeded.

Republicans enjoyed great success in governor races across the nation.

There were three shocking upsets. Charlie Baker (R) defeated Martha Coakley (D) in the Massachusetts governor’s race. In Illinois incumbent Pat Quinn (D) fell to challenger Bruce Rauner (R) and in Maryland Lieutenant Gov. Anthony Brown (D) was taken out by Larry Hogan (R). The current governor of Maryland is term-limited Martin O’Malley, a Democrat with presidential ambitions.

In Wisconsin incumbent Gov. Scott Walker (R) outlasted challenger Mary Burke (D). In Florida incumbent Gov. Rick Scott (R) thumped former Gov. Charlie Crist (D). In Kansas incumbent Gov. Sam Brownback (R) fended off a strong challenge from Paul Davis (D).

In New Mexico incumbent Gov. Susana Martinez (R), a rising star in the GOP, crushed Gary King (D). In Texas Greg Abbott (R) whooped abortion evangelist Wendy Davis (D).

Colorado incumbent John Hickenlooper (D) was locked in a close contest with Bob Beauprez (R) at press time.

All in all, it was a great night for Republicans, but not necessarily for conservatives.

No one expects Senate Republicans to do much of anything other than to meekly oppose President Obama’s agenda and pay lip service to repealing Obamacare, a radical left-wing instrument of socioeconomic leveling posing as a health care system.

McConnell, who has been promising for the past two years to repeal Obamacare “root and branch,” is signaling resignation. In 2012 McConnell said that Obamacare could be repealed with 51 votes through the budget reconciliation process because it was passed that way. However, last week McConnell said that he will not press for full Obamacare repeal in the incoming Congress. “It would take 60 votes in the Senate. Nobody thinks we’re going to have 60 Republicans and it would take a presidential signature. No one thinks we’re going to get that.” Instead, he wants to propose votes on the repeal of unpopular parts of the statute “and see if we can put it on the president’s desk.”

Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas), who easily won reelection yesterday, has warmed up to the proposed so-called DREAM Act which would provide amnesty for young illegal aliens. Last week Cornyn said that illegal immigrant DREAMers who “are guilty of nothing other than coming with their family” ought to be allowed to “serve in the military” and “earn American citizenship.”

Both McConnell and House Speaker Boehner have sent mixed messages on amnesty for illegal aliens even though lawmakers have repeatedly refused to grant the amnesties that Obama seeks.

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus predicted last week that a GOP-controlled Senate would stop Obama’s “un-American” amnesty. “It’s unconstitutional, illegal, and we don’t support it,” Priebus said.

Obama may not wait for the new Congress to be seated before he takes executive action to deal with the estimated 11 million illegal aliens in the country.

“White House officials are saying that you can expect the president to set an aggressive, and defiant tone [Wednesday],” ABC’s Jon Karl reported yesterday. “You’re not going to see any mea culpas, no big firings, no change in direction.”

Karl added, “officials tell me the president is prepared to aggressively pursue his agenda using his power of executive authority, where he can’t work with Congress, and the big one is going to be on immigration reform.”

A large-scale amnesty would be a profoundly cynical move that would reward lawbreaking and beget future immigration amnesties. It would also spell electoral doom for the Republican Party in coming years because Latinos, who are believed to comprise the bulk of the illegals, have traditionally shown a strong preference for the Democratic Party and its left-of-center public policies.

Whether Republicans will stand up to President Obama is an open question.

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  • truebearing

    There is good reason to celebrate the election results. Obama’s policies have been thoroughly rejected, though should have never needed rejecting but for a gullible electorate. Harry Roid is relegated to senate minority leader, and soon to prison if there is any justice. Scott Walker weathered another all-out assault from the Left and the nasty unions. And most importantly, the citizens were more iindependent of the money spent to manipulate them.

    Obama will double down, but he would have anyway. If he had a majority in the senate, he would still push amnesty. It is the crown jewel of one party rule. It is true that we can’t count on Boehner or McConnell to stop much of anything, but we never could. We the people have to stop Obama, and this election was a good and necessary first step.

    • SCREW SOCIALISM

      We have to wait until January until the newly elected are installed and can begin to effect change.

      Obama and company can do damage before that time.

      I think there will be gridlock until 2016.

      Obama and the Socialist Democrats will blame Republicans for his failures and incompetence.

      I hope the House will be able to override Presidential Vetoes. A slap in Obama’s face..

      • John Pallyswine

        Time for a Republican narcisstic mental case. If not Jeb Bush, there is the next rising star in Texas ( a native word meaning “friend”): GEORGE P BUSH. The best friend military contractors ever had, next to Jeb Bush, next to GWBus, next to George Bush, next to Prescott Bush( he was involved in financing Germany in the 1940s

        • Jack A. Napes

          Nothing like a basket case that barfs back old legends (read: lies) as facts.

      • truebearing

        My response to you is being “moderated” by the jackbooted censors at disqus. It may not appear, so I wrote this one, angrily.

        This is the second time in two days one of my posts has been moderated for no reason, and it happens frequently. Disqus doesn’t seem to appreciate free speech, though they make plenty of money from comment sections.

    • John Pallyswine

      YES WE HAVE THE SENATE. Off to war, to ware here we go boys. Let`s bomb more countries not inhabited by white skinned people.

      • MukeNecca

        “Let`s bomb more countries not inhabited by white skinned people.

        Are you drunk, man?

  • Adhemarde

    Obama has not been defanged yet. Expect this narcissistic mental case to defiantly issue executive orders to implement as much of his radical policies as possible. What needs to be done is for this Kenyan usurper to be removed from office immediately and thrown in prison for treason, where he belongs.

    • Nadzieja Batki

      Biden will be in the wings to take a bow. Careful what you wish for.

  • BMS

    America has spoken. I have regained some hope for the future of this country.

    • wesley69

      The next two years will be most dangerous. Obama has been wounded and judging by his past actions, he will make the people pay for their rejection of him. He also knows he has the votes to survive a removal vote in the Senate.

      Republicans must be bold and present an alternative vision to the American people, despite the fact that Obama will veto it. Without Reid to shield him, Obama now becomes the OBSTRUCTIONIST and must be identified as such.

      • Rosasolis

        I watched the coverage of Obama’s speech yesterday evening, and I was appalled with his reaction
        to the nearly total defeat of his party, the democrates.
        Most leaders of a defeated party show
        sadness, some are tired, or shocked and nervous…
        but even so,
        they Always wish their opponents all the best in their new tasks.
        Obama is the most Arrogant politican I have every heard or seen
        on TV! He’s a “cold frog”, (as we say here in Netherlands).
        This guy shows has no feelings for his common American citizens
        and not even for his party! He only cares about the fact that he
        is president! His speech illustrates that he will only tolerate
        the Republicans in both houses. He even stated that his function
        gives HIM the right to Veto any new laws that the huge majority
        of Republicans will be hoping to enforce during the coming months.
        This is not fair play! This man seems to resemble one of those
        old East-European dictators, from 30 years ago!
        You folks should keep in close contact with your party members
        and keep supporting them now, more than ever!
        Obama cannot stop you from supporting your newly elected
        Republican party representatives!

  • http://libertyandculture.blogspot.com/ Jason P

    The Republicans should pass a barrage of legislation at break neck speed so that they can (1) show that they can get things done and (2) show that Obama stands in our way as he vetoes “change.” Let’s take the “change” mantle away from this impostor. Let’s make him look like the socialist fossil he is.

    Obamacare is broken. Repeal and go further; pass a federal law the outlaws state-wide mandates and allows insurance companies to compete by creating tailor-made policies for each family. Add to that tax relief for those who buy insurance on their own so that there is no tax advantages to demand employer based one-size-fits all policies.

    That’s an example of moving forward. I could come up with similar bold plans for other areas of the economy but there are good libertarian think-tanks that are doing just that. The information is there. The will was lacking … let’s see if Republicans “grow a pair.” No excuses! Attack, attack, attack!!!

  • Adheeb

    Presidential statements such as these confirm for us that this president seeks to punish not nurture the nation.

    • wesley69

      The President views this country was corrupt and that it stole from other peoples and regions to gain the wealth and power we have enjoyed. For these “sins” the US must be made to atone and he has been busy doing it, DELIBERATELY promoting economic and military decline. To Obama and his other minions, for the rest of the world to rise, America must fall.

      • Adheeb

        You’re right.

    • Nadzieja Batki

      So where did you get the idea O meant to “nurture” the nation?

      • Adheeb

        The President’s duty is to do what is best for the nation, that is what I meant by “nurture’. However I never believed Obama’s intention ever was to do what was in the nation’s best interest. I’m not sure where you came up with that idea.

  • info warrior

    A huge victory for establishment conservatives, again.

    Same old same old.

    • wesley69

      To be truthful, the hope and change was not what most Americans expected.

      • info warrior

        America rejected Communism in the 1930s. There used to be millions of commies in the US. Now the CPUSA has fewer than 2,000 members. FYI.

        • MukeNecca

          “There used to be millions of commies in the US. Now the CPUSA has fewer than 2,000 members”

          The rest have camouflaged themselves as “liberal democrats”.

          • MLCBLOG

            exactly

          • dwayne roberson

            and “Progressives”

        • MLCBLOG

          Wonderful piece of news. Good.

          However, I have observed — up close and personal, them saying we don’t need to be members to get the agenda enforced.

        • Nadzieja Batki

          So should the count start with you. Communism never died in America as it did not die anywhere else in the world. All you and they did was pick up a mantle of respectability as Dems/Progs/Leftists.

          • info warrior

            The only places you see communists these days are in college commie clubs for kids. Trust me, I used to be in the Marxist club at University. They (feel they are) a special bunch. I doubt any of the ones I knew are still Commies today.

  • info warrior

    So much for hoping for change.

  • Rosasolis

    Dear Americans, sometimes life is good and we are treated to a nice surprise.
    This happened to me this morning, 6:00 A.M., when I set my TV news sender on!
    Today’s overwhelming success for the Republican party should confince you, that your
    dispair and fears, and cries for help have been answered! The Republican Party
    has fought so hard to win the support of so many voters, and will at last be able to restore the
    identity of the America. This is a great day for you to celebrate!
    But tomorrow it will be back to work for the Republicans leaders and members of
    both “upper and lower parliaments” ( as we call them here in Netherlands).
    Don’t worry about Obama any more. Dictators can fall very quickly when their
    government is unstable and weak. Your Republican party has shown that they
    are working well TOGETHER, and this is their strength. All they have to
    accomplish is to convince the “undecided voters” that they are working to
    correct and/or get rid of so many problems caused by a socialist government
    and its weak dictator president. This task will be enormous, and it can only be
    achieved step by step. But the Republican team work will be showing progress
    within just a few months! So be patient. I hope that we will soon be able
    to welcome a few Republican Party representatives here for a long due visit!
    Once again, Congratulations and lots of success! God Bless you all.

    • cree

      Ditto. Good to see the positive steps there against the Islamic onslaught. Hope the example spreads.

    • dwayne roberson

      Hopefully the 2010 shellac has been upgraded to Spar polyurethane, improved strength, durability and adhesion in exposure to rough weather..

  • DontMessWithAmerica

    It was a grand night. Matthew Vadum nearly ran out of variety in verbs to describe the losses, routing, thumping, defeating, etc. If the GOP doesn’t now promptly move toward impeachment, then they will reveal themselves to be as counterproductive to America as the Marxist-racist-Islamist himself. Never mind putting legislation on his desk. Haul him away from his desk in handcuffs.

    • joe kulak

      That would be nice, but don’t hold your breath.

  • banne

    Now it’s time to impeach Harry Reid: Please sign and pass on this petition: http://www.petition2congress.com/9639/impeach-harry-reid/?m=

  • RMThoughts

    Wrong: The TEA PARTY delivered the Senate to the GOP holding their nose and clenching their stomachs.

    • MLCBLOG

      Yup!!

    • Nadzieja Batki

      And upon speechifying Mitch McConnell already announced what a human vegetable he is, he will be so happy to work with the Democrats not doing anything to thwart them.

  • laura r

    is going to take more then elections to stop the progressives. i have said this for 20 years. US needs a revolution, bring it on.

  • MLCBLOG

    I don’t think it was Repubs conquering the Senate as much as the great American spirit setting things straight once again. It is a huge victory for the Tea Party and so many others, including this next awesome generation which is coming up. The great thing to me is that — and I have to admit, David was right again, it was done working within the Republican banner. Awesome!! I couldn’t be happier. Having no more Harry Reid droning to listen to is almost better than Christmas.

  • vnamvet1969

    Obama has nothing to lose now and he will do whatever he can to initiate destruction to our country. Between now and when the new Congress is seated I expect him to use executive orders and have minimal contact with Republican leaders. His real nastiness is yet to come, but I would have loved to see his and moochie’s face last night. Especially with Illinois electing a Republican Governor. Maybe her outstanding school lunch program can be tossed.

    • dwayne roberson

      Having seen the press conference this afternoon I think you are spot on. The green cards he has been printing did not go in the recycle bin. They have become impeachment bait. Confrontation to amnesty must be taken to the American public like harry Truman got on the train.

  • MrUniteUs1

    Congratulations Republicans. Well done.

  • Hard Little Machine

    Comrade Field Marshall Jarrett still has a few tricks up her sleeve. Look out.

  • barney59

    Right on, now the real work begins and we’ll see how soft and squishy these GOP career types are…