Democrats Take the House

So, it looks like the Democrats have retaken the house, effectively blowing the Republicans out in the Northeast, and making significant inroads in the Rust Belt (specifically Ohio and Pennsylvania). Right now, ABC is projecting, at minimum, a 17 seat pickup for the Dems.

New York is actually of particular interest since upstate is part of the Rust Belt while NYC, Westchester, and Long Island is more traditionally Northeastern New England. So far, Hillary has held on to her Senate seat (rather easily), Spitzer blew out his opposition for governor, Andrew Cuomo has been elected Attorney General, and even Alan Hevesi, who is embroiled in a scandal concerning him illegally using state workers to chauffeur his wife, has retained his position as state comptroller. Also, the Democrats have made huge inroads in upstate House seats, which has traditionally been a GOP stronghold.

Considering that the Republicans have lost big not only in upstate New York, but also Pennsylvania and Ohio, perhaps this is the beginning of a permanent trend: namely the Rust Belt states being as reliably Democratic as the South is now for Republicans. Obviously this is presumptuous, but the Democrat's current platform is not only anti-war, but also anti-free trade, which probably resonates very strongly with the industrial working class voters. (moreover, Jennifer Granholm has also retained the governorship in Michigan, continuing the pattern of Democratic strength in Rust Belt states).

Just in: Looks like Republicans are going to keep Tennessee, but Montana, Virginia, and Missouri are still really close. (I think only 6000 votes separate Allen from Webb).