Obama campaigned for McDonnell’s competitor Creigh Deeds pretty heavily, and Democrats won big in November in 2006 and 2008, but McDonnell dominated anyway.

WASHINGTON – Republicans wrested political control of Virginia from the Democrats on Tuesday as independent voters swung behind the GOP, a troubling sign for President Barack Obama and his party heading into an important midterm election year. ...

Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell’s victory in Virginia over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds was a triumph for a GOP looking to rebuild after being booted from power in national elections in 2006 and 2008. It also was a setback for the White House in a swing state that was a crucial part of Obama’s electoral landslide just a year ago. The president had personally campaigned for Deeds.

Republicans should remember, though, that if this race was won based on dissatisfaction with Democrats (and it probably was) it doesn’t translate necessarily into support for them.

Voters fed up with Republicans is how Democrats won elections in 2006 and 2008, but now it’s backfiring on them.  Because they were the default choice.  They won the elections as the only available alternative not because they earned the victories.

With McDonnell’s win, and possible wins in New Jersey and New York to happen later tonight, Republicans will have a lot to be excited about.  But they won’t be out of the woods just yet.