The first comes from Virginia, and is that running as a Republican is fatal for a Democrat. Mr. Deeds strove to distance himself from President Obama, concentrated on older white voters, and announced he would if elected opt-out of any public option. The result was a depressed turn out of Democrats, particularly younger and minority voters, who saw little reason to support the man, and understandably. 'Blue Dogs', or rather 'Bush Dogs', in our Party had best take note. If they do not run as Democrats next year, they are for the chop, and no mistake.

The second comes from New York, and is that the civil war in the Republican party is only begun, and will be exceedingly vicious. The result, a slim majority victory for Rep. Owens, is the best outcome possible from our point of view. The 'tea-bagger' movement will not take from this the lesson that they are a decided minority even in Republican distrcts; the belief they are the true and rightful majority in the whole country is too deeply ingrained in their self image. They will take the view that their defeat owed to the treacherous behavior of 'establishment' Republicans, and will re-double their efforts into next year's Republican primaries to over-throw these internal enemies. On the other hand, 'establishment' Republicans will take the lesson that the influence of the 'tea-baggers' in primaries is a disaster waiting to happen, and will redouble their efforts, at the local level, to oppose and contain this mob in primary contests. But without the 'tea-baggers', they cannot muster the votes to prevail in general elections either. The marquee leadership of the 'tea-baggers' being composed of political figures who are out of office, and have no chance of regaining it, will behave with even greater irresponsibility, whipping up the mob to new heights of frenzy against Republican officials and their prefered candidates. This could reach 'perfect storm' levels for a full fracture into a third party 'true conservative' splinter in the enemy camp next year.