Neither side came away with everything they had hoped for in yesterday's election.  While Republicans can celebrate the governor wins in NJ and VA, they are sadly disappointed to have lost the NY-23 race, in which a conservative candidate upended (and ousted) the Republian from the race, only to lose to the Democrat candidate.  There were lots of moving pieces to that race that make it difficult to draw any real conclusions. 

The big shocker was obviously the New Jersey Governor's race.  Governor Corzine had an incredible advantage in this race.  New Jersey's Democrat organization has successfully controlled the state for decades.  Corzine, through personal funds, was able to outspend his opponent nearly 4-1.  And Obama and Biden made regular visits into the state to bolster Corzine's campaign.  In the end, it wasn't' enough to overcome the voter disgust with high taxes, an anemic state economy and political corruption.  (Sounds like Illinois, doesn't it?)

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With friends like these....................................

Sen. President Harry Reid finds himself between a rock and a hard place.  

As a Nevada Senator, Harry Reid hails from one of the more conservative states in the union.  His unfailing support for nationalized health care is not well received in the state.  In fact, running for reelection in 2010, statewide polls are showing Harry as losing to every potential Republican candidate and even most Democratic Primary challengers.

As Harry contemplates the challenges back home, he faces just as many foes back in DC.  Were Harry to lose reelection in Nevada, two US Senators are salivating at the prospect of replacing him.  They are none other than Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Chuck Schumer.  Each man realizes that if health care is passed, Harry is politically dead back in Nevada.  If it doesn't pass, he's just as dead politically in DC.  Bottom line: Harry will likely not be the Senate President in 2011.  Chuck and Dick will use the next 12 months to their political benefit. 

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It's a compliant/lazy press that allows them to get away with this.............

Speaking of Senator Dick Durbin; he's long promoted nationalized health care and used the VA health system as the example of what can be created.  Ironically, Senator Durbin will railing against that same "idealized" health care system, today in Washington:

Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki will walk into a room of angry Illinois members of Congress Wednesday morning.

Shinseki will meet with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and other livid Illinois elected officials in Washington to address persistent problems at the Marion Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, which were brought back to light by a VA’s inspector general report issued this week.