Virginia’s Election Encapsulates the Problems Both Parties Face

Apart from Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s big victory in New Jersey, there was more to fear than to cheer for both parties in this week’s election results. The outcomes, especially in Virginia, solidified the sense that each party is now operating with more weaknesses than strengths.

For Democrats, the most ominous signal is that the party still faces enormous difficulty convincing most white voters that they will benefit from more, rather than less, government. For Republicans, conversely, the results reinforced the sobering message from 2012 that even commanding margins among whites may be insufficient if the growing minority population continues to overwhelmingly reject the GOP. CONT.

Ron Brownstein, National Journal

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