Analysis: Biden’s struggles, education wars propel Youngkin’s Virginia victory

Republican Glenn Youngkin’s upset victory in the Virginia governor race is likely to embolden and energize Republicans ahead of next year’s crucial midterm elections, when control of Congress will be at stake. In edging out Democrat Terry McAuliffe, Youngkin may have provided a model for Republican candidates in 2022, while Democrats must now fret over President Joe Biden’s sagging approval ratings and stalled agenda in Congress. Here are some takeaways from Youngkin’s victory: As Biden struggles, so does his party

Biden and his Democrats have had a rough year. The spread of COVID-19 and pockets of resistance to vaccines continue. The military pullout from Afghanistan was widely viewed as chaotic and mismanaged.

The president has struggled to cohere Democratic moderates and progressives around his big-ticket legislative agenda. At the same time, prices for consumer goods, food and fuel have shot up – with voters largely blaming the party in power.

Simply put, Biden hasn’t given voters – particularly those outside the Democratic base – much to feel good about.

Youngkin capitalized on those troubles, running up the score in rural Virginia and squeezing McAuliffe’s margins in some critical suburban areas.

While Biden won independents handily in 2020, 57% to 38%, Youngkin won them 54% to 45%, according to CNN exit polls. A narrow majority of voters overall said the Democratic Party was too liberal, the polls showed… (Excerpts from the Reuters)