USA: Analyst sees gridlock down the road in Washington after sweeping Republican gains in midterm elections

Record ID: 347867

  • Title: USA: Analyst sees gridlock down the road in Washington after sweeping Republican gains in midterm elections
  • Date: 4th November 2010
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 3, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF EXTERIOR OF U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING AND TRAFFIC ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AT SUNRISE MEDIUM SHOT OF U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING
  • Embargoed: 19th November 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9F5DD0YAHDXZOABP6S0CGPZAN
  • Story Text: Sweeping Republican gains in the midterm elections may create more confrontation and gridlock when the new Congress begins work in January.
    Americans awoke Wednesday (November 3) to find that voters in this week's midterm elections handed control of the House of Representatives to Republicans -- in a clear rebuke to President Obama's handling of the the economy and high unemployment.
    Democrats managed to retain control of the Senate even as Republicans strengthened their ranks, which could herald an extended legislative stalemate when the new Congress begins work in January.
    "The balance of activity will be confrontation rather than cooperation. It is inevitable when a new majority comes to town, that they will be filled with energy, enthusiasm and zeal," said William Galston of the Brookings Institution, and a former policy advisor in the Clinton administration.
    "At some point, I think the new majority will understand that they are at risk of getting nothing done and disappointing their supporters as well as the rest of the country and at that point they will come to the table," he added.
    From tax cuts to housing, Obama's hand is weakened. He will have to fend off attempts to repeal his healthcare and Wall Street reforms and will face an aggressive pushback against administration policies.
    But Galston says that while many Republicans campaigned against healthcare, they won't be able to dismantle it.
    "The Republicans can huff and puff, but I don't think they're going to be able to blow the healthcare house down. Slowing it down is one thing and stopping it is another and dismantling it is a third and they can do the first but not the second or the third," he said.
    Republicans picked up at least 60 House seats, far more than the 39 they needed for a majority that would elevate John Boehner to House speaker and put Republicans in charge of House committees. Many races remained too close to call.
    It is the biggest shift in power since Democrats gained 75 House seats in 1948.
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