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Republicans win key US elections Republicans win key US elections
(about 1 hour later)
Republicans have scored victories in two key US elections for governor, a year after Barack Obama was voted in as president. Republicans have scored victories in two key US elections for governor, one year after Barack Obama was voted in as president.
In Virginia, Republican candidate Bob McDonnell won by a comfortable margin, while another, Chris Christie, ousted the Democrat governor in New Jersey.In Virginia, Republican candidate Bob McDonnell won by a comfortable margin, while another, Chris Christie, ousted the Democrat governor in New Jersey.
In New York, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg narrowly won a third term over Democrat challenger Bill Thompson.In New York, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg narrowly won a third term over Democrat challenger Bill Thompson.
But Democrats won a traditionally Republican House seat in New York.But Democrats won a traditionally Republican House seat in New York.
Correspondents say the gubernatorial defeats are a setback for Mr Obama, who had campaigned in both states for his party's candidates, as he tries to reform healthcare, pass a climate change bill and rally support for his handling of the war in Afghanistan.Correspondents say the gubernatorial defeats are a setback for Mr Obama, who had campaigned in both states for his party's candidates, as he tries to reform healthcare, pass a climate change bill and rally support for his handling of the war in Afghanistan.
ANALYSIS Jonathan Beale, BBC News, WashingtonANALYSIS Jonathan Beale, BBC News, Washington
In reality the Virginia and New Jersey polls were not simply a referendum on Mr Obama.In reality the Virginia and New Jersey polls were not simply a referendum on Mr Obama.
Exit polls in both states showed a small majority still approved of how he is running the country.Exit polls in both states showed a small majority still approved of how he is running the country.
It is the economy that seems to have been the main concern - that and a host of parochial and even personality issues.It is the economy that seems to have been the main concern - that and a host of parochial and even personality issues.
All in all it looked like a good night for Republicans - except there was a sting in the tail.All in all it looked like a good night for Republicans - except there was a sting in the tail.
It came in upstate New York's 23rd congressional district, which has been in Republican hands for more than a century.It came in upstate New York's 23rd congressional district, which has been in Republican hands for more than a century.
Last night it voted Democrat thanks largely to a bitter row within Republican ranks.Last night it voted Democrat thanks largely to a bitter row within Republican ranks.
It was hardly a good night for President Obama. But it could have been much worse. Qualified victory for RepublicansIt was hardly a good night for President Obama. But it could have been much worse. Qualified victory for Republicans
While local issues have been paramount in these races, Republicans said the momentum was now behind them ahead of next year's crucial mid-term elections.While local issues have been paramount in these races, Republicans said the momentum was now behind them ahead of next year's crucial mid-term elections.
Meanwhile in Maine, voters in a referendum rejected a same-sex marriage law passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.Meanwhile in Maine, voters in a referendum rejected a same-sex marriage law passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.
The law was put on hold when conservatives launched a petition to repeal it.The law was put on hold when conservatives launched a petition to repeal it.
In New Jersey, the incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine had fought a bitter campaign against his Republican rival Chris Christie, not only attacking him over his ties to former President George W Bush and his views on abortion and healthcare, but also poking fun at his weight.In New Jersey, the incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine had fought a bitter campaign against his Republican rival Chris Christie, not only attacking him over his ties to former President George W Bush and his views on abortion and healthcare, but also poking fun at his weight.
Mr Christie was ahead with about 50% of the vote when Mr Corzine conceded.Mr Christie was ahead with about 50% of the vote when Mr Corzine conceded.
Mr Obama had thrown his weight behind Governor Corzine, repeatedly travelling to New Jersey to back the former Goldman Sachs chief executive on the campaign trail.Mr Obama had thrown his weight behind Governor Corzine, repeatedly travelling to New Jersey to back the former Goldman Sachs chief executive on the campaign trail.
'Warning shot''Warning shot'
But Democrats played down Tuesday's gubernatorial defeats.But Democrats played down Tuesday's gubernatorial defeats.
"These races turned on local and state issues... and despite what some will certainly claim, the results are not predictive of the future or reflective of the national mood," said Democratic Party chairman Tim Kaine."These races turned on local and state issues... and despite what some will certainly claim, the results are not predictive of the future or reflective of the national mood," said Democratic Party chairman Tim Kaine.
MARDELL'S AMERICA Obama is in that tricky post-euphoria, pre-delivery phase - it's even trickier if people feel deliverance never comes BBC North America editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full In pictures: US electionsMARDELL'S AMERICA Obama is in that tricky post-euphoria, pre-delivery phase - it's even trickier if people feel deliverance never comes BBC North America editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full In pictures: US elections
However, the Republicans said it was a "warning shot" to the White House.However, the Republicans said it was a "warning shot" to the White House.
"[Voters] are tired of the spending, tired of the waste and tired of the over-reach they see coming out of Washington," said House deputy Republican leader Eric Cantor."[Voters] are tired of the spending, tired of the waste and tired of the over-reach they see coming out of Washington," said House deputy Republican leader Eric Cantor.
In Virginia, Democratic party candidate Creigh Deeds lost in a landslide to his Republican rival, former attorney general Bob McDonnell.In Virginia, Democratic party candidate Creigh Deeds lost in a landslide to his Republican rival, former attorney general Bob McDonnell.
Only last year President Obama became the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since 1964, although its last two governors have been Democrats.Only last year President Obama became the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since 1964, although its last two governors have been Democrats.
But independent voters who supported the president in the 2008 election seem to have switched their support to the Republican party candidate in this race.But independent voters who supported the president in the 2008 election seem to have switched their support to the Republican party candidate in this race.
In other results:In other results:
  • Democrat Bill Owens won the House of Representatives seat for New York state's 23rd congressional district, defeating Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman
  • California Lt Gov John Garamendi won a special election to a Northern California congressional seat, keeping the district in Democratic hands
  • In New York city, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg won a closer-than-expected race for a third term. With nearly all votes in, he had beaten Democrat Bill Thompson by 51% to 46%
  • In Atlanta, councillor Mary Norwood could become the city's first white mayor in a generation if she wins a December run-off against Georgia Senator Kasim Reed, after neither received more than half the votes cast
  • Democrat Bill Owens won the House of Representatives seat for New York state's 23rd congressional district, defeating Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman
  • California Lt Gov John Garamendi won a special election to a Northern California congressional seat, keeping the district in Democratic hands
  • In New York city, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg won a closer-than-expected race for a third term. With nearly all votes in, he had beaten Democrat Bill Thompson by 51% to 46%
  • In Atlanta, councillor Mary Norwood could become the city's first white mayor in a generation if she wins a December run-off against Georgia Senator Kasim Reed, after neither received more than half the votes cast
Mayoral elections were also held in Houston, Boston, Detroit and Pittsburgh.Mayoral elections were also held in Houston, Boston, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Tuesday's results are being pored over for clues as to how the two main parties will fare in the 2010 mid-terms.Tuesday's results are being pored over for clues as to how the two main parties will fare in the 2010 mid-terms.
The entire House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and two-thirds of governors faces the vote next year.The entire House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and two-thirds of governors faces the vote next year.
The US media have been scrutinising the election results and see potentially ill omens for the Democrats.
The Washington Post says President Obama may be losing the vital support of independent voters.
"Independents have expressed reservations about the president's healthcare efforts and the federal deficit under his leadership. Tuesday's elections provided the first tangible evidence that Republicans can win [independents'] support with the right kind of candidates and the right messages. That is an ominous development for Democrats if it continues unabated into next year."
The New York Times says Republican infighting could hamper any hope of an opposition comeback next year.
"The Republican victories set the stage for [the party] to raise money, recruit candidates and ride the excitement of an energised base heading into next year's mid-terms. But a Democratic victory in upstate New York - after an ideologically pitched battle between moderates and conservatives over how best to lead Republicans back to power - signalled the Republican Party faces continued upheaval."
The Los Angeles Times predicts choppy waters ahead for the White House.
"In the short-term, the off-year results will surely colour perceptions within the Washington Beltway, as Obama and the Democratic-run Congress strive to pass landmark healthcare reform legislation, then turn to a major bill to fight global warming. The outcome is unlikely to make things easier for the White House and its allies."
Did you vote in any of the elections on Tuesday? What do you think of the election results? How important are they for Republicans and Democrats? Send us your comments using the form below.Did you vote in any of the elections on Tuesday? What do you think of the election results? How important are they for Republicans and Democrats? Send us your comments using the form below.
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