The era of hope is over. If the results of the US midterm elections have been a huge setback for the Democrats, they were a personal catastrophe for Barack Obama. They were even worse than the most pessimistic forecasts of his party’s strategists, amounting to a comprehensive rejection of his governance. With the Republicans now in control of both the upper and lower Houses of Congress, the twilight of Obama’s presidency has begun. Battered: President Barack Obama's dire poll results had echoes of Ukip's rising popularity in the UK The man who once electrified the American nation with his soaring oratory – and titled his book on political philosophy The Audacity Of Hope – is now the lamest of ducks in the White House, mired in unpopularity and devoid of allies.
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The US midterm elections were a catastrophe for president Barack Obama
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Republicans now in control of both upper and lower Houses of Congress
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Results are a reminder that America still retains conservative heartlands
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President Obama is now mired in unpopularity and devoid of any allies
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The election proved to be a successful one for the @placeholder.
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This outlook has been central to the phenomenal success of @placeholder, where, until now, every generation has been wealthier than its predecessor.
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A further factor in the anti-Democrat landslide was the greater cohesiveness and moderation from most @placeholder candidates.
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One of the main reasons for the @placeholder’ success is that their supporters were more galvanised to vote than Democrats.
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Despite widespread disillusion with Obama, there is no evidence of an overwhelming transfer of allegiance to the @placeholder.
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One recent survey showed that 59 per cent of voters are ‘dissatisfied’ with the Democrats, but 60 per cent have similar feelings towards the @placeholder.
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The legalisation of marijuana in some parts of @placeholder may end up being the long-lasting legacy of Barack Obama’s presidency.
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@placeholder are determined to dismantle Mr Obama’s controversial healthcare reform – his administration’s biggest policy change – which would be humiliating for a president who says he is determined to leave a permanent mark on the US.