USA Today: Voters send warning to both parties' incumbents [View All]

[UrbScotty]

Exultant Republicans had plenty to celebrate following Tuesday's elections. Two strong candidates, former GOP national chairman Haley Barbour in Mississippi and three-term congressman Ernie Fletcher in Kentucky, took important governorships away from the Democrats.

Republicans also scored well in other off-year election races, fueling visions of a rising tide that could cement GOP power in Washington and across the country in 2004.

The possibility is certainly real enough. But partisans anticipating a GOP golden era unlike any in the past 75 years would be wise to revisit those election returns. Tuesday's Republican victories mask a larger message, a warning to incumbent officeholders of both parties.

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In some localities Tuesday, Republicans were victims of this mood for change. Democrats won back control of the New Jersey Legislature and made their first gains in the Virginia Legislature in a quarter-century.

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But in the latest USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll, taken Oct. 24-26, 74% of those surveyed said they consider economic conditions today to be only fair or poor. In spite of more optimistic reports recently, 43% said the economy is getting worse. While 45% said they were likely to vote for President Bush next year, 42% said they were more likely to vote for a Democratic challenger essentially a dead heat by polling standards.

After Tuesday, Republicans may be exhilarated but incumbents, Republicans as well as Democrats, have been warned.

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