Politics

Tea Time: GOP Locks Up House

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans marched toward House control Tuesday night in midterm elections shadowed by recession, locking up enough Democratic seats to install a conservative majority certain to challenge President Barack Obama at virtually every turn. Speaker-in-waiting John Boehner, his voice breaking with emotion, declared to fellow Republicans, “I’ll never let you down.”

But the Republicans fell short in their effort to gain control of the Senate and take full command of Congress. The GOP did gain seats in the Senate and also wrested at least seven governorships from Democrats.

Boehner and his Republicans needed to gain 40 seats for a majority, and had exactly that number in hand a few minutes before midnight in the East. They led for another 24.

The victories came in bunches — five Democratic-held seats each in Pennsylvania and Ohio and three in Florida and Virginia.

Among the House Democrats who tasted defeat was Rep. Tom Perriello, a first-termer for whom Obama campaigned just before the election.

Obama was at the White House as the returns mounted, a news conference on his Wednesday schedule.

Boehner choked back tears as he spoke to supporters in Washington.

“Across the country right now, we are witnessing a repudiation of Washington a repudiation of big government and a repudiation of politicians who refuse to listen to the people,” he said.

In Senate races, tea party favorites Rand Paul in Kentucky and Marco Rubio in Florida coasted to easy Senate victories, overcoming months of withering Democratic attacks on their conservative views. But Christine O’Donnell lost badly in Delaware, for a seat that Republican strategists once calculated would be theirs with ease.

Democrats conceded nothing while they still had a chance. “Let’s go out there and continue to fight,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi exhorted supporters in remarks before television cameras while the polls were still open in much of the country.

But not long after she spoke, Democratic incumbents in both houses began falling, and her own four-year tenure as the first female speaker in history seemed near an end.

With unemployment at 9.6 percent nationally, interviews with voters revealed an extraordinarily sour electorate, stressed financially and poorly disposed toward the president, the political parties and the federal government.

Sen.-elect Paul, appearing Tuesday night before supporters in Bowling Green, Ky., declared, “We’ve come to take our government back.”

About four in 10 voters said they were worse off financially than two years ago, according to preliminary exit poll results and pre-election surveys. More than one in three said their votes were an expression of opposition to Obama. More than half expressed negative views about both political parties. Roughly 40 percent of voters considered themselves supporters of the conservative tea party movement. Less than half said they wanted the government to do more to solve problems.

The preliminary findings were based on Election Day and pre-election interviews with more than 9,000 voters.

All 435 seats in the House were on the ballot, plus 37 in the Senate. An additional 37 governors‘ races gave Republicans ample opportunity for further gains halfway through Obama’s term, although Andrew Cuomo was elected in New York for the office his father once held.

Comments (49)

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  • OR1286
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:42am

    I’m gonna buy myself a big slurpee today!!!

    Report Post »  
  • AuntiEm
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:27am

    Boehner is second in line for the presidency.

    Report Post »  
  • itsmyfirstday
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:19am

    I am glad the vote turned out as it did….think about it. With a Republican house and senate the United States would rebound and obama would get all the credit and be re-elected. Now we will have grid lock for the next two years. Personally, I love grid lock! The less politicians do…the less they hurt America.

    fd

    Report Post » itsmyfirstday  
  • Boojer56
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:19am

    Ding Dong the witch is gone
    Which Witch is gone
    Pelosis gone
    Ding Dong the wicked witch is gone.

    Now if we can get her out of the house completly the sun will come up.

    Report Post »  
  • Caremom
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:15am

    Thanks to The Blaze reporters and its graphics design team for its electoral coverage. Special kudos to Scott Baker (used to watch you) for his cautious read on the elections, especially his inside analysis of PA. He kept the Terrible Towels in play long after lame stream interviews tried to stymie PA hopes.
    The Blaze rocks!

    Report Post » Caremom  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:10am

    Many, many thanks to President Obama for single-handedly resurrecting the Conservative movement with his Marxist arrogance.

    Please, please, please keep up the good work so we can have the support to throw you out of office in 2012.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
  • hanovertea
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:10am

    I hope that every time we in the Tea Party are tempted to give up the fight, every time we grow weary with the battle and become complacent in our vigiance, we keep in our mind’s eye the image of Pelosi walking in to the Capitol carrying that outsized gavel, with a haughty smirk on her face.

    Report Post »  
  • hanovertea
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:50am

    To Madam Speaker: Enjoy your magic carpet ride to the back of the house. By the way, that carpet is made of “ASTROTURF!”

    Report Post »  
  • MUDFLAPS
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:49am

    If the Republicans dont get their $hit together they wont be able to run for dog catcher, or should I can al grayson catcher.

    Report Post »  
  • mamawalker
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:22am

    General K
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:51am

    Replace Steele with Dick Morris he is brilliant. He could carry them a long way.

    General K – You are so right – Dick would be able to get down to the precinct level and help vet new candidates – We The People need to do our own write-in campaign for him – maybe get Glenn to help spread the word!!!

    Report Post »  
    • NickDeringer
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:53am

      Dick Morris’ number one priority is being part of the pundit class and his speaking fees. I’m not a fan of Steele, but if it was his idea to recruit Black and women GOP candidates then he is brilliant.

      Report Post » NickDeringer  
  • AuntiEm
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:17am

    The focus on the Dems keeping the senate seems a little off when they need 60 votes and now have 51?

    Report Post »  
    • citizenx
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:33am

      They haven’t had 60 votes for almost anything they tried to accomplish since Scott was elected. Nothing will change in the Senate.

      Report Post » citizenx  
  • HippoNips
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:04am

    Phase One Complete.
    Now the fun begins.

    Report Post »  
  • charliego
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:47am

    Hopefully, checks and balance will be restored. Message sent was loud and clear to all gradients left of center and anti-constitution proponents–i.e., progressive advocates. It gives me great pleasure to throw a kiss good-bye to Ms. Pelosi. At best, she lived in the land of the Cheshire Cat- a seemingly iconic portrayal of many of Ms. Pelosi‘s ’attributes’.
    California, my best to you; your opportunity for survival has dwindled-not totally un- recoverable some day, but certainly on an ever weakening thread. But, you are still ours as Americans-recalcitrant child that you are.
    GOP—“Say what you mean and mean what you say”.(GB) Do not fall into your old traps. Remember, who ‘We, the People’ are. Think about the consequences if you do not re-incorporate the values of the concerned American citizens into your platform design. RE-read the Constitution and live by its tenets, grab a big bite of humble pie and concern yourselves with creating a functional system of government that works with and for the citizens. We are tired of the bickering and stagnation of an inefficient government. DO NOT let us down. Do not lead us down the path of other failed civilizations.
    Bring back GOD strong and clear to your seats as you debate and deliberate. We are a nation of givers-let us produce and give. Promote and propagate the ‘IDEA’, this ‘EXPERIMENT’ of our inception. Allow the people, who have been awakened from our complacency, to redirect our goals, educate properly our children, allow a system that promotes personal incentive and drive to succeed for all our citizens.We know how to create a fishing pole-be it fancy or simple in design so we can catch our own fish. These are just a few items of our strength-don’t ever again allow efforts to trash them.
    GOD bless this great Country HE so graciously offered to us. We offer up our hearts, hands and souls to this end. thank you

    Report Post » charliego  
  • Sunnyr
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:32am

    I am beginning to see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. God Bless America. And let’s finish the job in 2012!

    Report Post » Sunnyr  
  • Ladykiva
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:16am

    We have begun, ladies & gentlemen! Tough times are ahead, thanks to the Progressive infiltration over the past 35 or so years – we will weather them and return our nation to the Founders’ vision! May God bless and guide our new governors and Congressmen!

    Report Post »  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 4:39pm

      I agree. Tough times are ahead. We can’t stop and rest on one victory now. We need to hold these new people accountable.

      Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:09am

    Apparently John Stewart’s rally to Restore Sanity worked. Millions of voters went out last night and voted for sanity.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
  • NHABE64
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:00am

    Tea Time, Party TIme, time for America to celebrate something for a change. And let us not forget to say THANK YOU to Sarah Palin, the Tea Party, Glen Beck, Shaun Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Billy O’Reilly, Dr. Savage, and the entire crew of FOX News who have done their work to keep us informed, to expose the cockroaches who would have destroyed us, and been there every day to help make this day possible. These fine people and there are more, have simply worked to help to SAVE America. God bless them all. Lots of work ahead but the sun is shining on the GOP today and perhaps we should give ourselves a round of applause for VOTING for America! Hooyah!

    Report Post »  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:43am

    OK – this is JUST the 1st Sweep…

    I DON’T CARE IF OBAMA GROWS WINGS AND A HALO BETWEEN NOW & 2012 –

    HE STILL MUST GO!

    He’s NOT GOING TO CHANGE – EVER….WHO CAN TRUST HIM? WHO SHOULD?

    A SNAKE IS A SNAKE….

    Report Post »  
  • theCREATORisGOD
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 4:34am

    We were HEARD! The Tea Party is responsible for this HISTORICAL shift in power! We have taken back what is rightfully ours.

    Victory is sweet!!

    (too bad I live in California where dingbats re-elect people like Boxer and Brown…wish me luck!)

    Report Post » theCREATORisGOD  
  • Drekavac
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:51am

    Glenn Beck is 150% correct in saying if Republicans don‘t live up to their side of this deal they’re the next Whig party. They will be destroyed by the people and replaced with a new party.

    Report Post »  
  • Okpulot Taha
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:48am

    We won. This was a bloodbath. This is a historic day. This type of power shift has not taken place since the Word War II era. None of this would be possible without Tea Party people getting out the right message and raising public awareness.

    Question now is, “Will the GOP display respect for Tea Party people?”

    A good start for the GOP to display respect is to get rid of Karl Rove and Michael Steele.

    Okpulot Taha
    Choctaw Nation

    Report Post »  
    • General K
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:51am

      Replace Steele with Dick Morris he is brilliant. He could carry them a long way.

      Report Post »  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:48am

    Conservatives DONT BLOW IT………………You got a BIG problem coming up with “inflation” just on the horizon. Be honest with the people and blame the progressive/rino/mods/neo cons and dont forget to
    ROAST the progressive-commys too–EXPOSE THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE…….and impeach Obama

    Report Post »  
  • nanoflex
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:44am

    Pelosi will miss having her exclusive fleet of jets… meh, she’ll get over it.

    Report Post » nanoflex  
    • DagneyT
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:00am

      I doubt she will give them up! Don’t hold your breath.

      Report Post » DagneyT  
  • aeronut44
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:42am

    All of the hard work has paid off to place the right in the House!!! Thank God. I just hope and pray that act like the conservatives that they claim they are. But our work has just begun. We need to keep our eyes on them and let them know they CAN and WILL be replaced if they don’t listen to WE THE PEOPLE.

    Report Post » aeronut44  
  • General K
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:41am

    That ends phase one of taking back our country. The next cycle we are on a witch hunt to get the rest of the Progressives out of power. The tea party needs now to identify, demonize and destroy every last one of them and put them in obscurity for another 100 years. What say you all?

     
    • tea bagging patriot
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:45am

      Yes,

      There should no longer be any debate in this country. They are either with us or they will be labeled as communists and thier views will be dismissed.

      We are tea bagging in the streets of Washington tonight!!

      tea bag patriot  
    • Akscooch
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 2:51am

      RIGHT ON! Let’s expose and deal with these snakes.

      Report Post »  
    • Contrarian51
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 3:27am

      If the Tea Party movement is going to try and become a more formally organized faction, it’s going to need to learn something about vetting candidates, especially those running for the Senate who must appeal to broader audiences.

      We‘ll see what happens here but don’t expect much. Dems still control the Senate, Obama still needs to sign any legislation put forward and there were a lot more “establishment” Republicans elected than you may realize. This election was just the first of many steps that need to be taken and the energy level needs to remain high through 2012 and 2014, and possibly into 2016 since Reid, Boxer, Leahy and others just got new 6 year leases. We didn‘t get where we are in 2 years and we won’t get where we need to be in 2 years, either.

      Report Post »  
    • Robert W
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 3:57am

      We win.

      Report Post »  
    • Impeach-BO
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 4:57am

      Hello everyone, for those on here who already know Tea Bagging Patriot(AKA matty1631) is a union member plant then ignore this message.

      He is a Soros union member plant.

      Never is and never was a conservative or a tea party member.

      Constantly belittling the tea party members and often making racist comments.

      He’s already been exposed for the lib-tard union plant he is so just ignore him.

      He’s trying to bait real Tea Party members into agreeing with him and/or saying some of his similar hatefilled rhetoric. Don’t fall for it.

      I am here to follow this fake and counter every lying post he promotes. Sorry little matty, you lose..again.

      For anyone new take note. Thank you.

      Report Post »  
    • Wendy in FL
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:58am

      Impeach-BO,

      Yes, you are right about Tea Bagging Patriot. He is not very good at hiding what/who he really is. None of us would agree that the debate should end. Debate is what makes this country great. It is the left that want debate to end. How many times have Gibbs and Obama said, “The debate is over.”?

      Report Post » Wendy in FL  
    • citizenx
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:30am

      Mark my words… Boehner is not a Tea Party member and neither is most of the house. They will vote to raise the debt ceiling as one of their first efforts. Just watch.

      Report Post » citizenx  
    • HKS
      Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:47am

      Amen,

      Report Post » HKS  
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