Nathan Gonzales: “In 2006, Republicans lost 31 House seats and six Senate seats, as well as majorities in both chambers. GOP strategists understood voters were sending their party a message. But they also took some solace that unpopular President George W. Bush was in the twilight of his tenure and wouldn’t be on the ballot again. They were wrong.”
“In two years between the 2006 midterm elections and the 2008 presidential election, Bush’s job approval rating dipped even lower… Congressional Democrats and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama ran against Bush again in 2008 and Republicans lost another 21 House seats and eight more Senate seats. It didn’t matter President Bush wasn’t actually on the ballot and wouldn’t be in office the following year. Democratic candidates ran against him anyway. Bush’s low standing primed the country for more Democrats, even though they already controlled the House and Senate.”
“There is significant risk for Democrats that Obama and his policies will be on the ballot again in 2016.”
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