The Hill News

There are more than a few lessons to be drawn from the 2010 midterm elections, even before the results come in.  First, for all those who have been decrying the rise of partisan politics in Congress this election shows that you can succeed in passing legislation by standing on firm party ground, but at a steep electoral cost.  And Republicans clearly reread their 1990’s political history by copying Gingrich’s oppose everything strategy (except NAFTA) in the 103rd Congress and it looks very likely they will benefit electorally to the same extent or even more.  To a student of democratic government, this election is exactly what you want in a two party system:  one party is held accountable for the policies it passed, and the other party has offered consistent opposition to those policies. There has been little compromise, and no blurring of philosophies to confuse the voter.   An additional bonus is the clear evidence that the incumbency advantage is not nearly! as entrenched a component of congressional elections as people think: given the right combination of money, appealing candidates, and bad external conditions, voters have already demonstrated in this primary season that they will show anyone and everyone the door.

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