Daily Updates
GOP sweep: Big governorship wins in Virginia, NJ
By LIZ SIDOTI
AP National Political Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans surged to victory in governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday, wresting control from Democrats in both states as independents who swept Barack Obama to a historic 2008 victory broke big for the GOP. It was a troubling sign for the president and his party heading into an important midterm election year.
Conservative Republican Bob McDonnell’s victory in the Virginia governor’s race over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds and moderate Republican Chris Christie’s ouster of unpopular New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine was a double-barreled triumph for a party looking to rebuild after being booted from power in national elections in 2006 and 2008.
The outcomes were sure to feed discussion about the state of the electorate, the status of the diverse coalition that sent Obama to the White House and the limits of the president’s influence — on the party’s base of support and on moderate current lawmakers he needs to advance his legislative priorities.
His signature issue of health care reform was dealt a blow hours before polls closed when Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid signaled that Congress may not complete health care legislation this year, missing Obama’s deadline and pushing debate into a congressional election year.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Maine voters weighed in on same-sex marriage in a closely watched initiative, and New York and California picked congressmen for two vacant seats. A slew of cities selected mayors, and Ohio voted on allowing casinos.
The president had personally campaigned for Deeds and Corzine, seeking to ensure that independents and base voters alike turned out even if he wasn’t on the ballot. Thus, the losses were blots on Obama’s political standing to a certain degree and suggested potential problems ahead as he seeks to achieve his policy goals, protect Democratic majorities in Congress and expand his party’s grip on governors’ seats next fall.
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Doctor says heart groups too cozy with industry
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Woman hit with rock in car dies
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PepsiCo cuts sugary drinks from schools worldwide
PepsiCo plans to remove sugary drinks from schools worldwide, following the success of programs in the U.S. aimed at cutting down on childhood obesity.
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Woods will return to golf at Masters on April 8
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Ivy League’s Cornell responds to 3 gorge deaths
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Brazen Conn. warehouse heist nets $75M in pills
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Clinic: Woman championed by Obama eligible for aid
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Students pitch in to help save town from flood
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Calvin Klein parent to buy Tommy Hilfiger for $3B
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Boston art heist rattles investigators 20 years on
It remains the most tantalizing art heist mystery in the world.
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Doctor says heart groups too cozy with industry
