Here's a riddle for ya.

How do you know all the noise from conservatives about big spending and deficits is going to be a major political issue in the midterm elections?

The Obama administration, mindful of public anxiety over the government's mushrooming debt, is shifting emphasis from big-spending policies to deficit reduction. Domestic agencies have been told to brace for a spending freeze or cuts of up to 5 percent as part of a midterm election-year push to rein in record budget shortfalls.

This messaging strategy would not be in effect had New Jersey and Virginia gone as they had been going for years for Dems.

No way. No how.

Tea Partiers - think your message isn't getting through? This is proof it is.