Stinging Defeats for G.O.P. Come at a Sensitive Time

"The elections capped a season of political turmoil for the Republican governing
majority, which has been buffeted by Hurricane Katrina, the war in Iraq, soaring
energy prices, scandal on Capitol Hill and, most recently, the indictment of I.
Lewis Libby Jr., who was chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney."

I think it's important to note, as well, which candidates shied away from attention from the President. Bloomberg was only reelected by such a strong margin because he tried not to show himself as a Republican. Very telling.