Obama, Democrats tested in 2009 elections

by Xinhua writer Wang Wei

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- One year after Barack Obama's landslide victory in the 2008 presidential elections, his party is faced up with another test on Tuesday as a handful of local elections are held in states and cities.

Starting early morning, registered voters began casting their ballots in Virginia and New Jersey, where Democrats and Republicans are intensely wrestling in the gubernatorial elections.

A voting guide is posted outside a polling station in New York Nov. 3, 2009. Citizens of New York City went to polls on Tuesday for the general election of the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seeking for his third term. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Tuesday is also marked in some major cities that are electing mayors, including New York, Boston, Atlanta and Houston.

Although Obama's name is not on the ballots, the elections are portrayed by Republicans as "referendums" on his presidency and Democratic administration, which have been featured by economic stimulus measures, health care reform and withdrawal from the Iraq war.

KEY BATTLEFIELDS

On Nov. 4, 2008, Obama made history not only as the first African-American president but also the first Democrat to win a presidential race in Virginia since the 1960s.

However, Democrats are less likely to keep the state blue on Tuesday, as earlier polls showed Republican candidate for governor Bob McDonnell had a double-digit lead over his Democratic rival Creigh Deeds.

Even the support from Obama and incumbent governor Tim Kaine, who is the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, seems making no help to their party fellow.

In the race for the state's lieutenant governor, Republican Bill Bolling also led Democrat Jody Wagner by about 15 points.

While Democrats tried to downplay their bleak prospects in Virginia gubernatorial elections, it was still considered by analysts a sign of Republicans' comeback.

"The Republicans could show they are competitive in Virginia, and also send a national message that they are able to come back in the Obama era," said Mark Rozell, a political science professor at George Mason University.

The other gubernatorial race in New Jersey is caught in a tie between the current Democratic governor, Jon Corzine, and his Republican challenger Chris Christie.

The climate does not favor Corzine, the only governor who seeks reelection in 2009, since his political life is mostly judged by his performance in the latest economic crisis and the wave of job loss.

A drama got the New York 23rd congressional district election more national spotlights than it should have.

Dede Scozzafava, the candidate picked by local Republican leaders for she being able to reach out to independent and even Democratic voters, was forced to withdraw her nomination after the party's conservative wing insisted supporting another candidate torun for the office.

It has signaled the Republican Party that it may have a hard time to mend splits in the party before challenging Democrats in the midterm elections next year.