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I am as concerned by what took place in VA and NJ from a national perspective as I am about Arnold's failed props. It's not looking good for the Republicans in 2006 and the next presidential election is looking more and more dicey. In the meantime, Bush is not only a lameduck President but he is going to find less and less support within his own party as Senators and Congressmen begin to distance themselves from his ever declining popularity. Sad but that's the way it always works.

Oh, and the chance for major tax reform is slim and none and ol' slim just left the building.

Bush's popularity will rise again, and before November 2006, I assure you.

The problem yesterday (especially in California) was a general dissatisfaction and malaise among Republicans stemming from the flood of bad news (Miers, Libby, leaks, etc.). Look at the piss poor turnout in OC – Republicans just didn’t show. This is only a temporary setback. All the party needs is a little momentum (the Alito confirmation will do nicely...) to put Bush's popularity is back near 50, and 2006 (and beyond) starts to look fine.

All spin aside, it's a good thing all this shitty news is happening now. Honestly, do you believe for a second that Scooter Libby will still be an issue a year from now? Americans have short political memories - this election and the issues that decided will have no bearing on the mid-terms.

But that's just my opinon. I could be wrong.

I hope you are right!

Also, these elections (the year after presidential ones) are actually very poor as a bellweather for future elections. Only two states typically have something important (the NJ and Virginia governorships) and the incumbent parties won in both cases. That doesn't really bode badly for it. Today's OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today was all over it.