Structural advantages for Republicans in 2010 state elections

[Brittain33]

Sounds like the structural advantages Democrats had going into 2002 state elections. And, indeed, Democrats picked up some states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. Overall, it didn't make the election a good one for Dems.

[Brittain33]

Sounds like the structural advantages Democrats had going into 2002 state elections. And, indeed, Democrats picked up some states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. Overall, it didn't make the election a good one for Dems.

They picked up eleven states, and lost eight.

Yes... my memory is that the Democrats got the pick-ups we were expected to get, but by narrower margins than expected (MI and PA, but also WI, AZ) while many close races went Republican, potential races never became competitive (NY, TX, OH, AK), and the South was a disaster. I was shocked that Romney won. The 2002 state elections were a case where Democrats "did well," but totally failed to beat the spread. Winning in Oklahoma and Kansas wasn't much consolation to Democrats outside those states.

[Brittain33]

Both those states are trending republican, and have had the GOP make significant grains in the state legislature the past two election cycles (especially Tennessee).

Tennessee is surely trending Republican on a state level. Alabama, no. It has jerked back and forth with substantial Democratic energy at times, and the Democratic results in the federal races last year was a remarkable sign and indicator of greater hope down-ballot.