While Democrats had little to cheer about the morning after, one national labor issue near and dear to President Obama's heart gained ground in unexpected territory. Increases in state minimum wage rates were approved in Alaska (expected), Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota–all conservative-leaning states where Republicans did well.
While the increases fall short of the national hike to $10.10 per hour that the President has been pushing for–and will likely not encourage a Republican-dominated Congress to take up the issue anytime soon–they all represent a sizable increase over the current $7.25 national rate.
And some political and economic observers feel the wage hikes (especially when approved in ballot initiatives directly by the voters), on top of those passed last summer in the cities of San Francisco and Seattle, could push the issue to the fore when candidates for President in both parties compete for the top job in 2016.