US after \\\'midterm\\\' polls

The results of the November 4 "midterm" elections in the United States have not come as a surprise since a good showing by the Republican Party was very much on the cards for a variety of reasons.
But, what did come as a surprised to analysts was the extent of the victory of the Republican Party that has been in the opposition for last six years. The outcome has given the party, which is also known as Grand Old Party (GOP), a much-needed boost before the 2016 presidential polls. The recent voting had no direct bearing on the presidency, the powerful chief executive of the world's most resourceful nation. But, it has handed down the Republicans majority in the both chambers of the Congress -- the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Additionally, the GOP has scored handsomely in the in the balloting for the state Governors as well, causing several upsets by beating the Democrats' nominees. One example of great reversal is the gubernatorial polls in the key Maryland state adjacent to the national capital Washington D.C. The state is a stronghold for the Democrats and here the party Nominee Anthony Brown lost to Republican candidate Larry Hogan. Campaigns by President Barack Obama, first lady Mitchell Obama and former secretary of state and a potentially strong figure for the party in the next presidential polls Hillary Rodham Clinton failed to stop Hogan from a seemingly improbable victory. This constituency was the cynosure of many eyes because of its importance both for its geographical location as well as honour attached to the state. But, it has gone the GOP way, belying all calculations. While the Democrats were keen to retain the seat with a larger margin, they have now to lick the wounds, which could hardly be anticipated.
However, the balloting to the Congress across the nation was the issue of intense speculations since the Obama administration and the Congress have been at loggerheads on several issues and it is in this context, the Congressional voting was all important matter. The Democrats held majority by a wafer-thin margin in the Senate while the Republicans held big sway in the House of representative. The elections has given the GOP majority in the Senate, thus making things difficult for the administration in both houses of the Congress, which is tasked with making laws. The Senate has 100 members, two from each of the fifty states- regardless of the size and population of these states. A big state like California has the same number of Senators like a small state of South Dakota or Maine.
However, the 435 members of the House of Representative are elected on the basis of the strength of population. The US Constitution provides enough powers to the presidency, but that is not absolute since the Congress acts as the catalyst of "check and balances" and it is precisely for that reasons the "midterm" elections were seen with great interests and curiosity.
Obama administration faced myriad impediments from the House of Representatives on several issues like the "Immigration Reforms" and minimum wages while the Senate acted favourably. Now both the chambers have gone under the control of the Republicans and hence frustration in the White House and ruling circles has gone deep. Furthermore, the GOP has done exceedingly well in securing the posts of the state governors, who wield considerable influence as the administrative head of the states. However, one argument may serve as a solace to the Democrats - the party in the White House generally fares badly in the "midterm" polls, which elect one-third of the Senate members in every such voting. Senators are elected for six years with on third going to the electorate every two years. Members of the house are meant for two-year term.
The setbacks notwithstanding, the White House is seeking to put up a brave face and president Obama told his first post-poll press conference that the gloom should not be deep and he would function the next two years of the presidency applying his wisdom and sagacity. Even though he commented "I hear you the voters", the president has not dropped any hint that he would recalibrate his policies or effect any change in the key figures of the administration. On the contrary, he indicated that the presidency would not hesitate in exercising the executive powers in facilitating the execution of some laws like the "immigration reforms" that he believes would help many people, especially their family members from the uncertainty of living in the US. Obama does not accept that the election results were in anyway meant a verdict for the change in the fundamental policy matters. An aide minces no words when says that the presidential polls in 2016 may not mirror what has occurred in the just concluded voting.
 True, not that everything went wrong for the administration. The economy is showing signs of recovery while many people have been brought under the healthcare programme. The emergence of such crises like the Ukraine tangle pitting Russia against the US-led West and the "Islamic State" might have caught the US largely off guarded, but Obama has moved to tackle these difficult situation with caution and prudence. A president, who was elected on the anti-war platform, found himself caught between the rocks and hard place. The saner sections of the Americans still believe that involving the ground troops in outside problems cannot be a best option while the Americans are still paying the prices of such involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan - albeit some calling Obama's predecessor George Bush, who sent the troops, as someone capable of taking bold decisions.
Yet, the Obama administration received the drubbing in the "midterm" polls since the six year time is viewed by many as somewhat lackluster while not much love lost exists for the opposition either. The results have created a collision course for the administration and the Congress that will come into play with its new shape from the start of the new year. Some analysts call it "worrisome" since the confrontation may lead to nowhere tangible when several key issues deserved speedy resolution. New majority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnell, who served in the Senate for eight years as minority leader, stresses on bipartisan approach to overcome any gridlock while cautioning against much use of presidential executive powers. House majority leader John Bohner echoes the same as the coming days of the American politics promises interesting turns and twist. A new phenomenon that emerged in both the man parties from the recent elections is the strong "pressure groups" - blaming Obama in the Democrats for losing of ground and the "tea-party" hardliners in the GOP, taking credit for the showing.
This is particularly noteworthy since both parties now would have to go through the long and gruelling exercise of choosing their nominees for the 2016 presidential elections. This may be a bit early, but the number of the hopefuls is simply galore in the GOP for the obvious reason of being at good time now while the Democrats too have several candidates although none have officially come out as yet with their intent to throw the hat into the ring of probable presidency. Nevertheless, the process can not wait for long and one prospective Democrat candidate - former secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton said she would announce her decision by the beginning of new year, which is not far away. Also a former first lady and a Senator, Hillary looks certain to make another bid for presidency, which she lost in securing the party nomination in 2008 narrowly to Barack Obama.
The latest situation in the political realm of the United States is the decision by president Obama, using his executive powers, to grant Legal status" to certain categories of people living in the US illegally. The decision that would benefit nearly five million of illegal immigrants has raised a storm in the country with the Republicans describing the development as "unconstitutional" while the president said he had to use his power since the congress did not approve the "immigration reforms" bill for last several years.
Obama defended his action, saying he very much acted within his authority while the Republicans dubbed the decision as "harmful" to the US and "blatant" disregard to the Constitution. The decision would help the ruling party in the next presidential polls as the voters coming from the countries whose people stand to benefit from the decision are expected to favour the Democrats in the election in 2016.However, this has raised an uproar and the American politics will witness severe acrimony on the issue with two main parties taking divergent positions on the matter.
The writer is a senior journalist and analyst on international affairs. Email: [email protected]