Kay Hagan's Loss Is a Devastating Blow to Democrats

The National Journal reports:

Kay Hagan had done everything right. When Senate Democrats elsewhere got wrapped up in thorny national issues, she spent months talking only about local education funding. While some of her colleagues exhausted the "war on women" attack by September, the first-term incumbent kept that message quiet until it was fresh for October. Other Democrats saw their poll numbers fall; she saw hers grow. She had run what one Democratic operative called a "damn near perfect campaign."

And none of it was enough. Because in 2014, all of the strategic brilliance and tactical deftness Democrats can muster doesn't look like a match for the deep unpopularity of President Obama.

Hagan lost Tuesday to Republican Senate nominee Thom Tillis in a race called by the Associated Press before midnight Eastern.

It is a devastating defeat for Democrats, who had remained optimistic even when polls tightened that Hagan would pull through. And it comes close to guaranteeing that Republicans will retake control of the Senate majority in 2015. North Carolina was generally seen before Election Day as a possible bonus win for the GOP, an important victory but one not necessary for the majority.

Goodbye Kay Hagan and his "stimulus" money for his family.