This Democratic win happened in a congressional district that has had a Republican congressman since the Civil War. Democrats will tout this particular win as proof that the Republican Party is engaged in an internal battle, a civil war, for the party's heart and soul -- that it is fighting for its very future.
The truth?
In Virginia, McDonnell focused his campaign on the economy -- specifically jobs, recovery and decreasing the deficit without raising taxes. Think of it as standard fiscal conservatism. Let's all get to work, and together we can increase the size of the pie for all. This is an inclusive, optimistic message, and it worked.
In New Jersey, Christie's election represents the first GOP gubernatorial victory since 1997, when then-Gov. Christie Whitman was re-elected.
On Tuesday night, when Edison Research asked voters in an exit poll what was most important, they pointed overwhelmingly to the economy and jobs. When asked, "How worried are you about the direction of the nation's economy in the next year?" voters -- regardless of whom they had voted for -- answered overwhelmingly that they were worried.
This should make Obama worried.
As Democratic campaign strategist James Carville said in 1992, "It's the economy, stupid."
So then, what does the outcome of New York 23rd congressional race prove?
Simply this: If there are three candidates, and one of the candidates of a mainstream party pulls out and throws her weight to the candidate of the other party, then the other side is probably going to win.
Both New Jersey and Virginia races were run on the economy: more jobs, lower taxes, fiscal conservatism and limited government. These are the bread-and-butter, core issues of the Republican Party and conservatives. Christie and McDonnell won because they represent what Americans want: an increased focus on the economy, a growing economic pie that all can participate in and take part of, a better vision of the future.
Don't believe the spin. Final tally for the night: Republicans won two and had one unforced error, resulting in their opponent winning.
Clear choices lead to good decisions.