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Off-year election resultsNov. 5, 2009 Wrap, suggested lead: One year after President Barack Obama was swept into office, elections on Tuesday saw Republicans make gains. As Mark Schwerin reports, the struggling U.S. economy played a role. (1:02/Schwerin/STD) The economy emerged as the No. 1 issue for voters on Tuesday, helping Republicans win races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia. Republicans are in a position to run against the policies of Democratic President Barack Obama, says Dr. Peter Wielhouwer, a WMU associate professor of political science. (:31/Wielhouwer..............................full advantage of that.) Wielhouwer says, though signs of a recovery are growing, there's still a lot of uncertainty about the economy among voters. From Western Michigan University, I'm Mark Schwerin. Actualities: CUT ONE: Wielhouwer says Tuesday's election shows how hard it is for a president's party when the economy is bad, even if that president inherited a poor economy. (:22/Wielhouwer...................................................as well.) CUT TWO: Wielhouwer says employment will have to go up before voters become more confident about the economy. (:25/Wielhouwer........................................governing party.) CUT THREE: Wielhouwer says a president's party usually gains seats in mid-term elections during a president's first term, but that might not be so easy for Democrats in 2010. (:35/Wielhouwer...............................Obama administration.) For additional comments or an interview with Wielhouwer,
call (269) 387-5685. The Western Michigan University radio news service is produced by the Office of University Relations. If you have questions or comments about the service, call Mark Schwerin at (269) 387-8413. WMU Radio News Service Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu |