BET Wire: Midterms Shock and Awe

Democrats got beat on Election Day.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

1 / 8

In Case You Missed It - The Democratic Party got beat on Election Day; Republican Leadership promises to repeal the health care law; President Obama pledges to take executive action on immigration; both sides say they want to find common ground – and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Ouch! - There was little doubt that the GOP would prevail in this year's midterm elections. What came as a surprise was how resounding their thumping of Democrats was. In many races, for U.S. Senate, governor and other spots, Republicans exceeded expectations both in number and the margins of victory. In some states, like liberal Maryland, where Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown was expected to become the state's first African-American governor, voters had other ideas. "No Drama" Obama is keeping it cool, but even he must be worried about how a GOP-led House and Senate will affect both the rest of his presidency and his legacy. (Photo: Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

2 / 8

Ouch! - There was little doubt that the GOP would prevail in this year's midterm elections. What came as a surprise was how resounding their thumping of Democrats was. In many races, for U.S. Senate, governor and other spots, Republicans exceeded expectations both in number and the margins of victory. In some states, like liberal Maryland, where Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown was expected to become the state's first African-American governor, voters had other ideas. "No Drama" Obama is keeping it cool, but even he must be worried about how a GOP-led House and Senate will affect both the rest of his presidency and his legacy. (Photo: Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Shake It Off - At a press conference the day after Democrats got drubbed, Obama said he's not "mopey" over the results and will instead focus on getting the job done. “To everyone who voted, I want you to know that I hear you,” Obama said, adding for those who didn’t vote,“I hear you, too.” Although he wants to close partisan divides, he warned, the GOP will likely send some bills to his desk that they know he will veto. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

3 / 8

Shake It Off - At a press conference the day after Democrats got drubbed, Obama said he's not "mopey" over the results and will instead focus on getting the job done. “To everyone who voted, I want you to know that I hear you,” Obama said, adding for those who didn’t vote,“I hear you, too.” Although he wants to close partisan divides, he warned, the GOP will likely send some bills to his desk that they know he will veto. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Opening Shot - In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, House Speaker John Boehner and incoming Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell outlined the GOP's priorities for the next session of Congress. At the top of the list is a renewed "commitment to repeal ObamaCare, which is hurting the job market along with Americans’ health care." The House has passed several bills to repeal all or parts of the law. Will the Senate, which Republicans will soon control, follow suit? (Photos from Left: Mark Wilson/Getty Images, Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

4 / 8

Opening Shot - In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, House Speaker John Boehner and incoming Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell outlined the GOP's priorities for the next session of Congress. At the top of the list is a renewed "commitment to repeal ObamaCare, which is hurting the job market along with Americans’ health care." The House has passed several bills to repeal all or parts of the law. Will the Senate, which Republicans will soon control, follow suit? (Photos from Left: Mark Wilson/Getty Images, Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Warning Shot - In his first press conference since the GOP gained control of the Senate, Boehner warned that if Obama acts on his pledge to take executive action on immigration there will be consequences. "When you play with matches, you take the risk of burning yourself," Boehner said. "And he's going to burn himself if he continues to go down this path." And although he also spoke about finding common ground, the speaker also promised more votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, even if similar action is not taken in the Senate and the president would veto such a bill if it made it that far. (Photo: Cliff Owen/AP Photo)

5 / 8

Warning Shot - In his first press conference since the GOP gained control of the Senate, Boehner warned that if Obama acts on his pledge to take executive action on immigration there will be consequences. "When you play with matches, you take the risk of burning yourself," Boehner said. "And he's going to burn himself if he continues to go down this path." And although he also spoke about finding common ground, the speaker also promised more votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, even if similar action is not taken in the Senate and the president would veto such a bill if it made it that far. (Photo: Cliff Owen/AP Photo)

ADVERTISEMENT
More of the Same - Anthony from San Diego in a call into C-SPAN's Washington Journal predicted that when Congress is under complete Republican control next year, GOP lawmakers will "overreach," making it easier for Hillary Clinton to win the 2016 presidential election, Talkng Points Memo reports. "This is about race," said the self-described Republican. "The Republicans hate that n****r Obama." Host Steve Scully quickly ended the call and apologized to listeners and viewers. (Photo: Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

6 / 8

More of the Same - Anthony from San Diego in a call into C-SPAN's Washington Journal predicted that when Congress is under complete Republican control next year, GOP lawmakers will "overreach," making it easier for Hillary Clinton to win the 2016 presidential election, Talkng Points Memo reports. "This is about race," said the self-described Republican. "The Republicans hate that n****r Obama." Host Steve Scully quickly ended the call and apologized to listeners and viewers. (Photo: Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Win Some, Lose One - The Congressional Black Caucus lost one member, Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford, to the midterm elections. But they also gained a few new members: Alma Adams (North Carolina), Bonnie Watson Coleman (New Jersey) and Brenda Lawrence (Michigan). It is not yet known whether Republicans Mia Love (Utah) or Will Hurd (Texas) will join the CBC. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

7 / 8

Win Some, Lose One - The Congressional Black Caucus lost one member, Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford, to the midterm elections. But they also gained a few new members: Alma Adams (North Carolina), Bonnie Watson Coleman (New Jersey) and Brenda Lawrence (Michigan). It is not yet known whether Republicans Mia Love (Utah) or Will Hurd (Texas) will join the CBC. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Condoleezza Rice - Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice slammed Democrats for using the race card to get out the midterm vote. “The idea that you would play such a card and try fear mongering among minorities just because you disagree with Republicans, that they are somehow all racists, I find it appalling," she said on Fox News. "I find it insulting.” While acknowledging that racial divides still exist in the U.S., Rice added, "It is still the best place on Earth to be a minority." (Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images)

8 / 8

Condoleezza Rice - Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice slammed Democrats for using the race card to get out the midterm vote. “The idea that you would play such a card and try fear mongering among minorities just because you disagree with Republicans, that they are somehow all racists, I find it appalling," she said on Fox News. "I find it insulting.” While acknowledging that racial divides still exist in the U.S., Rice added, "It is still the best place on Earth to be a minority." (Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images)