Post mortem thread. Why did we lose?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

177. Being from Maryland and still in shock, I have several explanations for why Brown lost.

He and Coakley had the same problem:

They are policy wonks. Very effective at their jobs but are very weak candidates.
If MA has issues electing women to higher office, then MD has the same problem with women and blacks. Brown would have been the first black governor
But, Anthony's real mistake: he botched the implementation of Obamacare at the state level and that was just unacceptable in a BLUE state. We can blame the Republicans all we want, but there's no excuse when it's the bluest of BLUE states. He was put directly in charge of this administration and botched it terribly. That hung around his neck for awhile.
One other issue: Apparently Maryland voters--I assert many of them higher-class whites--complained about high taxes. I live in Montgomery County, perhaps the wealthiest or one of the wealthiest counties in the nation; high performing schools. But in recent years, we've been competing very heavily with counties in VA, namely Fairfax, County, which boasts lower tax rates but just as good if not better performing schools. While O'Malley left office fairly popular and voters seemed to appreciate all he's done for the state, for some reason, they think change in the form of a Republican would be better. Honestly I've never understood this logic. If the Democrats are doing well and managing well, why switch parties? I think the high taxes have become an issue, especially if we're competing with VA.

Pat Quinn made a lot of mistakes in IL. He seemed always at odds with the Democratic legislature. Another weak candidate.
Daniel Malloy? I don't get that one. I thought he was a strong candidate.

As for Coakley, I am baffled. She is the worst candidate ever! Why do MA Dems insist on running her for office? After Patrick had done such an outstanding job in that state, I simply don't get why the Democrats just give away the pooch.

Apparently low voter turnout hurt the Democrats across the board.

But when you have a Corporate Media gleefully shouting 24-7 that Republicans are poised to win, why bother. Anthony Brown should have won the state handily, but it looks like black voters in Prince George's County and Baltimore City decided to stay home today. Why? Maybe they thought Brown had the election won. I certainly thought he did. Even when the polls started tightening up, I had no clue and did not expect Hogan to win at all. I'm still very much in shock and very much embarrassed by my state.