The US Presidential Election Has Begun

Has the next presidential election, which won’t be for another three years, already begun? You’re liable to fall into that delusion if you watch American media outlets reporting on regional U.S. elections.

In the Virginia gubernatorial election, the Democratic candidate evaded mounting pressure from the tea party-backed Republican candidate and was elected. What drew more attention than the candidate himself was former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who supported the candidate and provided an endorsement speech. Regarding the presidential election, Clinton has remained silent, yet it is expected that she will resume political activities geared toward her appearance in the race.

In New Jersey, Republican Governor Chris Christie was re-elected with overwhelming support. Although his name was offered early as a conservative presidential candidate, by cooperating with President Obama’s relief efforts during the hurricane last year, he has shown flexible political skills quite different from those favored by the tea party.

It is clear that the headwind of popular opinion regarding the tea party’s high-handed tactics in Congress, which were laid bare in the unusual case of the recent shutdown of various government functions, had an influence on the outcome of the election.

Senator Ted Cruz, a possible presidential candidate under the auspices of the tea party, is elated. At a meeting last week in Iowa, Cruz praised himself by saying, “We elevated the national debate over what a disaster, what a train wreck, how much Obamacare is hurting millions of Americans across the country.”

In a presidential election, one must win the base support of moderates, who hold no regard for “right” or “left.” The Republican Party, under the impression that the tea party has become a minor political presence within itself, will surely develop a strategy beyond merely forcing the Obama administration to be a lame duck.