New Majority

Voters have given unquestioning support to the Republican Party in the U.S. election. The conservatives — who also won important victories in the gubernatorial elections of key states — have a majority in both houses of Congress for the Democratic president’s two remaining years. Barack Obama has seen this election coincide with his worst level of popularity, and his party has suffered the consequences of suggesting a presidential referendum.

Presidential setback, although it may seem like a paradox, can turn into an opportunity for the system. The result is a common situation that has previously occurred in American history, in which the occupant of the White House must govern a House controlled by their opponents. Obama’s three predecessors — George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George Bush — all went through this at some point during their presidency, and were forced to find a consensus between the executive and the legislative branches.

The words of Harry Reid, who was until yesterday the Democratic majority leader in the Senate, should not be seen as a mere rhetorical formula (although there is an implicit dart thrown at Obama): “The message from voters is clear: they want us to work together.” The ultra-conservative tea party — which has not been strengthened by the red wave of Republicanism — might not be the obstacle bringing an end to legislative blocks with national and global consequences. The largest sector of the Republican Party has to build bridges to get to the White House, demonstrate the capacity to govern, and overcome the negative attitude maintained until now; and Obama must revise his schedule and adopt initiatives that have the greatest possible level of consensus.

In any case — and this is a basic message from an electorate who is angry about not being able to enjoy the economic recovery and restless about foreign policy uncertainties — the U.S. cannot allow the final part of Obama’s term in office to be dominated by political paralysis.

The election has set the stage for the 2016 presidential campaign. The campaign has allowed the Democrat Hillary Clinton to more clearly define her profile (although several candidates who received her support have failed). She will now try and distance herself from a one-party Congress. Among the Republicans, a wide range of candidates are claiming their role for the success of the conservatives in the election.