What was rejected and affirmed
Tuesday’s elections will be broken down ad nauseum by the pundits. Couple of briefs in the news worth noting…
The citizens of Maine want laws to protect traditional marriage.
Maine voters rejected a law allowing same-sex couples to marry in a closely fought referendum that saw unexpectedly high turnout.
Rolling back the law is a setback for gay-rights advocates and makes Maine the third state in which residents reversed their government’s decision to permit gay marriages, after California and Hawaii.
Same-sex marriage has yet to win a popular vote in any state…
It may not have been a referendum on President Obama, but some of his policies are causing great concern, which is what voters reacted to yesterday.
The elections nonetheless offered proof (not that any should have been needed) that Obama cannot transfer his popularity to his allies. They showed that the powerful negative reaction to President Bush may have run its course. And they suggested that important aspects of Obama’s agenda are encountering formidable resistance, not only from the core supporters of the Republican party but also from independent voters. We would not blame the president if he took up smoking again.
Speaking of blame, suddenly George Bush does seem to be less useful, which is only one of the five lessons Powerline draws from yesterday’s election. Notice #3. Intensity counts. That was certainly the takeaway message for befuddled Republicans and restless conservatives.
