After midterms, race for the White House is on

Let the campaign begin.

Fresh off the resounding Republican win in midterm elections, all eyes -- and political minds -- in Washington are now narrowing in on the 2016 presidential election.

For the Democrats, smarting from a sound Republican beating, Hillary Clinton -- the former secretary of state and former first lady -- is not officially a candidate, but is the presumptive nominee.

For the Republicans, things are not as simple. A dozen names are in play, but no one has emerged as a favorite.

Voters will elect the 45th president of the United States of November 8, 2016. The two main parties will stage their primaries in the early part of that year.

But the months ahead are crucial -- candidacies will be announced, rallies will be held, horse-trading will happen behind closed doors... and campaign funds will be raised.

While Tuesday's big win for Republicans is a major slap in the face to Democrats, who lost control of the Senate, it is not necessarily bad news for Clinton if she decides to make another run for the White House, eight years after losing to Barack Obama in the primaries.

The Republicans about to reign supreme on Capitol Hill will provide the 67-year-old Clinton with strong fodder for her eventual campaign platform.

The former senator from New York will seek to exploit the internal rifts in a Republican party still struggling to assimilate a feisty Tea Party contingent with little desire to stay in line with veteran leaders.

Republican Senator Rand Paul, one of those weighing a White House run, did not wait long to launch the first salvo in the White House battle.

"Tuesday's biggest loser is @HillaryClinton," Paul said on Twitter soon after the Republican victory was clear.

The Kentucky senator then posted a series of photos on Facebook showing Clinton stumping for Democratic candidates who lost on Tuesday -- with the hashtag #HillarysLosers.

Will she or won't she?

"After a historic rebuke in yesterday’s midterms, the Obama-Clinton policies will be on the ballot again in 2016," the Republican National Committee said in a research memo listing how the former rivals are inextricably linked.

The RNC went on to argue that the numbers don't add up for sending another Democrat to the White House.

Indeed, rarely does one party win three consecutive terms at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In the past 60 years, it has only happened once, when George H.W. Bush succeeded Ronald Reagan.

Clinton is expected to make her intentions known in early 2015. While her actions seem to telegraph her plans to run, some doubt remains.

The wife of former president Bill Clinton has said she plans to enjoy her new role of grandmother -- her daughter Chelsea gave birth to Charlotte in September -- before making any decisions on her future in politics.

If she decides not to run, the Democrats could find themselves in a tough spot, as she has so dominated the 2016 conversation for the past year.

Vice President Joe Biden, who is five years older than Clinton, has left his options open and made it clear he would like another crack at the White House, but Washington insiders think it's unlikely.

Tuesday's shock election of a Republican governor in Maryland has weakened the chances of outgoing Democrat Martin O'Malley, another hopeful.

Jeb Bush on the fence
On the Republican side, rarely has a race been as open.

First question mark: former Florida governor Jeb Bush, the son of George H.W. Bush and the brother of George W. Bush. After 41 and 43, the Bush family could see president number 45.

But Jeb -- more of a centrist than his brother -- is hesitant.

Earlier this year, his mother Barbara made known her mixed feelings about political dynasties -- the Kennedys, the Bushes, the Clintons.

"This is a great country. And if we can't find more than two or three families to run for higher office, that's silly," she said.

Since then, she hasn't said much.

A bunch of other names are in the mix: Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas, and a host of governors -- Chris Christie (New Jersey), Rick Perry (Texas), Scott Walker (Wisconsin) and Bobby Jindal (Louisiana).

Former Arkansas governor Mick Huckabee is also regularly listed as a possible candidate.

Mitt Romney, who lost the Republican primary to Senator John McCain in 2008 and the election to Obama in 2012, has resurfaced.

Romney has initially ruled out another run, but lately has been more vague in his public comments on the matter.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Filipino wins seat in city council in NJ

BERGENFIELD, NJ – An incumbent Democrat and his Filipino-American running mate, a political newcomer, won three-year-term seats in the Bergenfield Borough council Tuesday.

Immigration lawyer Arvin Amatorio received 2,947 or 30 percent of the total votes. Re-electionist Council President Chris Tully received 2,972 votes, also about 30 percent of the total votes cast.

The first time that a Filipino held a seat in the city council 18 years ago was Robert Rivas, who eventually became mayor.

"I’m so humbled by that result because the landslide victory means that the Filipino came united to send a message that we can elect a Filipino in this part of the State,” said Amatorio.

"A lot of that is just because of the excitement that Arvin brought to this ticket this year, and I’m telling you he is going to be a superstar, not only in Bergenfield, not only in Bergen County but in the State of New Jersey and I can’t wait for it," according to Tully.

The Tully-Amatorio campaign said this landslide victory would not have been possible without the "bayanihan" spirit of the Filipino community in Bergenfield.

Amatorio-Tully supporter Mike Florendo said, "I think today is one of those days that you’ll be very proud to be a Filipino. This is the first time I’ve seen people from Hudson County to Bergen County to help a fellow kababayan, so we’re so proud of our kababayans here".

Supporters of the Tully-Amatorio duo are planning to formalize and organize this Pinoy "bayanihan" spirit into a political action committee to help campaign for Fil-Am candidates seeking public office in the East Coast.

Community Leader Bert Aguilera said, "These are pro-bono. We are all volunteers who love to do this for Filipino-American candidates who will run for public office".

Read more from Balitang America

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

2 Fil-Ams retain seats in Daly City council

DALY CITY - Friends, family, and supporters gathered in Daly City to support Filipino-American candidates Ray Buenaventura and Mike Guingona.

After waiting almost all night both were relieved to find out that they will be re-elected to the City Council of Daly City.

"It looks like I'll be in there for another term. So I'm exhausted because of all the campaigning but I'm just really happy to see the numbers and so far it turned out great," said Buenaventura.

"I'm energized. I'm happy and I look forward to another four years of serving my people in Daly City," said Guingona.

Buenaventura and Guingoa said they are thankful for the support from the Filipino community.

"I hope that the trend continues that Filipino-Americans will continue to vote and be involved in the process. Again, we're 1.5 million strong so let's keep that momentum and let's get all the people to participate in the process," Buenaventura said.

"I think if the Filipino community comes together and actually realizes that they have a lot of power, if they exercise their vote correctly, that we could really make a difference," said Guingona.

Unfortunately, not every Fil-Am candidate won the election. Robert Bernado came close to winning his re-election bid for San Mateo County Harbor District.

"I think we ran a really good race, a very aggressive race and we feel really good with what we did," said Bernardo.

Even though he did not win, he supports Buenaventura and Guingona and future Filipino candidates.

Other notable Filipino-Americans who won in the bay area include Assembly member Rob Bonta and Milpitas Mayor Joe Esteves. Partial and unofficial results also show Hydra Mendoza holding on to the third and final seat for San Francisco School Board.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Tough road ahead for Obama after Republicans seize US Senate

WASHINGTON - Republicans rode a wave of voter discontent to seize control of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, dealing a punishing blow to President Barack Obama that will limit his legislative agenda and may force him to make a course correction for his last two years in office.

The Republican rout was wide and deep in what was bound to be seen as a sharp rebuke to Obama, who has lurched from crisis to crisis all year and whose unpopularity made him unwelcome to Democratic candidates in many contested states.

The Republicans also strengthened their grip on the House of Representatives. When the new Congress takes power in January, they will be in charge of both chambers of Congress for the first time since elections in 2006.

The Republican takeover in the Senate will force Obama to scale back his ambitions to either executive actions that do not require legislative approval, or items that might gain bipartisan support, such as trade agreements and tax reform.

It will also test his ability to compromise with newly empowered political opponents who have been resisting his legislative agenda since he was first elected. And it could prompt some White House staff turnover as some exhausted members of his team consider departing in favor of fresh legs.

Obama, first elected in 2008 and again in 2012, called Democratic and Republican leaders of Congress to the White House on Friday to take stock of the new political landscape.

He watched election returns from the White House, and saw little to warm his spirits.

Before the election results, the White House had signaled no major changes for Obama. Officials said Obama would seek common ground with Congress on areas like trade and infrastructure.

"The president is going to continue to look for partners on Capitol Hill, Democrats or Republicans, who are willing to work with him on policies that benefit middle-class families," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Tuesday.

Obama, a one-term senator before he became president, has often been faulted for not developing closer relations with lawmakers.

He will find one familiar face in a powerful new position. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who won a tough re-election battle against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, will replace Democrat Harry Reid as Senate majority leader. Reid has been one of Obama's top political allies and helped him steer the president's signature healthcare law through the Senate in 2010.

"Some things don't change after tonight. I don't expect the president to wake up tomorrow and view the world any differently than he did when he woke up this morning. He knows I won't either. But we do have an obligation to work together on issues where we can agree," McConnell said in his victory speech in Louisville.

TOSS-UPS BECOME REPUBLICAN WINS
In Tuesday's comprehensive rout, Republicans won in places where Democrats were favored, taking a Senate race in North Carolina, pulled out victories where the going was tough, like a Senate battle in Kansas, and swept a number of governors' races in states where Democrats were favored, including Obama's home state of Illinois.

Of eight to 10 Senate seats that were considered toss-ups, Republicans won nearly all of them. They needed six seats to win control of the 100-member Senate, and by late evening they had seven.

The winning margin came when Iowa Republican Joni Ernst was declared the winner over Democrat Bruce Braley and Republican Thom Tillis defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Kay Hagan in North Carolina.

The Iowa race was particularly indicative of Republican fortunes. Ernst came from behind and surged in recent weeks despite herculean efforts by powerful Democratic figures to save Braley, including a campaign visit by Obama's wife, Michelle.

Republican Senate candidates also picked up Democratic seats in Montana, Colorado, West Virginia, South Dakota and Arkansas.

'RESPONSIBILITY ... TO LEAD'

Once the euphoria of their victory ebbs, Republicans will be under pressure to show Americans they are capable of governing after drawing scorn a year ago for shutting down the government in a budget fight. That will be a factor in their ambitions to take back the White House in 2016.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a conservative firebrand who may run in 2016, told CNN: "The American people, they're frustrated with what's happening in Washington, but now the responsibility falls on us to lead."

While there was talk of conciliation, no major breakthrough in Washington's chilly climate is expected soon.

Partisan battles could erupt over immigration reform, with Obama poised to issue executive actions by year's end to defer deportations of some undocumented immigrants, and over energy policy, as Republican press the president to approve the Keystone XL pipeline carrying oil from Canada.

Jay Carney, Obama's former spokesman, said he expects Obama to make an "all-out push" on his priorities regardless of the makeup of Congress.

Whatever the case, Obama will face pressure to make changes at the White House. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 75 percent of respondents believe the administration needs to "rethink" how it approaches major issues facing the United States. Sixty-four percent said Obama should replace some of his senior staff after the election.

The Republican victory had been widely predicted ahead of Tuesday's voting to elect 36 senators, 36 state governors and all 435 members of the House of Representatives.

Obama and other White House officials blamed the electoral map - noting that many key Senate races took place in conservative states that Obama lost in 2012.

Election Day polling by Reuters/Ipsos found a dour mood among the electorate with less than one-third of voters believing the country is headed in the right direction.

Roughly 40 percent of voters said they approved of the job Obama is doing as president, though they were split over whether they expected the economy to improve or worsen in the coming year.

In a consolation for Democrats, Jeanne Shaheen won re-election over Republican Scott Brown in New Hampshire in what polls had forecast as a tight race.

In Virginia, heavily favored Democratic incumbent Senator Mark Warner found himself in a surprisingly close fight against Republican challenger Ed Gillespie, with much of the vote counted. By late evening, he claimed victory but Gillespie had not yet conceded.

In the most closely watched governors' races, Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott edged out Democrat Charlie Crist, and Republican Scott Walker survived a challenge from Democrat Mary Burke in Wisconsin.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com