Assume you’re a Republican. You’re thrilled with the results, but hey…the President is still a Democrat. Do you want Republicans in Congress to compromise with the President to get more legislation passed rather than less? If they do, would this help a 2016 Republican presidential candidate because it shows Republicans can govern, or would it hurt because it shows what a Democrat as president can do (or shows that Republicans will not stick to their principals)? If valuable legislation is passed, does the impact on the 2016 presidential race really matter? If yes, then how can favorable legislation ever pass? Does it mean we’d need one party to control the presidency and both houses of congress?
Assume you’re the president and you believe that millions of illegal aliens should be allowed to remain in the US. Further assume you believe you do not have the constitutional authority to act without legislation passed by Congress. If you believe such legislation is impossible via a Republican controlled congress, do you act on your own despite the lack of authority, or do you try to make this an issue for the next Democratic presidential candidate?
Assume you’re a supreme court justice. You’re reviewing a case related to premium support for low income people under the Affordable Care Act. Further assume you believe the premiums violate the law. Do you rule against them because that’s how you interpret the law, or do you rule in favor of them because that’s what you want the result to be?
Did you vote? If not, why not? If yes, do you think your vote made a difference?
How long after the election should pundits begin to talk about the next election?