The Republican Party’s gains in the US mid-term polls didn’t come as a surprise. What did, is the near-rout the GOP has inflicted on the Democrats. For the first time under the Obama administration, the Republicans will control both Houses of Congress, having wrested the Senate from the Democrats and expanded their majority in the House of Representatives. The Republicans also made gains in the 36 gubernatorial contests. While these mid-terms have lacked a single-focus issue, the GOP built its campaign against the presidency of Barack Obama. The results are significant for the remaining two years of his term, as the GOP can thwart his ability to appoint federal judges, ambassadors and government officials.
A closer scrutiny suggests the American electorate is angry at all politicians and both parties, given the still-struggling economy and the longstanding political gridlock in Washington. But voter anger invariably converges on the top — the president. Also, historically, the party in the White House tends to lose Congressional numbers in mid-term polls. While there are fears the GOP sweep will make matters worse on healthcare, climate change and immigration reform, it’s not impossible that both president and Congress will find ways to compromise and work together.
If the GOP believes its best chance for the 2016 election is in continuing to fully oppose the president, or if Obama resorts to vetoing every GOP bill and unilateral executive decisions, it will help nobody. A president outmanoeuvred at home has often looked to foreign policy for a new stage. But for capitals across the globe watching the key Senate battle, the Obama presidency has just officially entered its lame-duck period.
