ELKHART — Anniversary arguments are underway in Cities across America after some big election night wins for the GOP Tuesday. Now, one year after President Obama's election, some are asking whether another shift in power is underway.

One year ago Wednesday, thousands of Democrats gathered in Chicago's Grant Park to celebrate Barack Obama's election. But, 12 months later, it was Republicans who were celebrating a pair of big wins in Gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. President Obama had campaigned heavily for Democratic incumbent Governors in both states.

Chris Christie (R) edged out incumbent Governor Jon Corzine (D) in New Jersey and Bob McConnell (R) won big in Virginia. Some said the high profile votes Tuesday gave the GOP the kind of lift it hasn't seen in more than a year, and some experts are now questioning where the balance of power now lies.

Some political analysts Wednesday said the GOP victories may, in part, have represented a referendum on Obama's first year in office--particularly on big issues like health care, the economy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The White House argued the wins were nothing more than isolated elections that had nothing to do with the President's performance over the last 12 months.

It's a debate that took Washington by storm Wednesday, and it was played out here in Michiana, too.

Perhaps nowhere else in America tells the story of Barack Obama's first year in office better than the City of Elkhart. Unemployment there led the nation during much of those first 12 months, and much of Elkhart County became a poster-child for the recession after Obama himself even visited once as a candidate and twice as President.

So, it was only fitting for local supporters to throw him a party Wednesday night, led by the group Indiana Change That Works and local Democratic leaders, including St. Joseph County Democratic Party Chairman Owen "Butch" Morgan and Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore (D).

Support for Obama was nearly universal at the event.

"I've been nothing but hopeful and optimistic. I haven't lost my "hope-ium" since Barack was elected," laughed Jenny Singer, attending the Elkhart event.

"I didn't expect it was going to be easy and great. But, I think things are getting better, and are going to continue getting better. He came into a difficult situation with a lot of problems. And we need to remember that he didn't create those," Singer continued.

But even some "die hard" supporters admitted that solutions to them haven't, at times, come as quickly as they would like.

"I would like to see our troops come home soon," said Cindy Phillips, wearing an "Obama '09" sweatshirt. "I think he needs to get moving on that."

"I think he's done a good job. But, I think there are a lot of things out there that still need to be taken care of," agreed Ahnie Costin. "I'm particularly concerned about health care. I work in a hospital, and it's ugly right now."

Others went even further, saying progress on Obama's campaign promise of "change" has been non-existent.

"He hasn't done anything he's promised in my opinion," said Rose Burns of South Bend. "I think he's putting soldiers' lives on the line while he procrastinates about putting more soldiers in Afghanistan. And, I think people are getting tied of promises. I happened to be upset with both sides."

But, one side was clearly much more enthusiastic on Wednesday.

Republican leaders said Tuesday's big wins gave them their voice back.

"The Republican renaissance has begun, and it has begun in earnest," said Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.

But, the White House argued the President's momentum won't be affected by it. And, some local experts agreed, saying the same slight power shift happened in 1993--one year after President Clinton was elected.

"And, fortunately for Obama and the Democrats, they have a much bigger majority in the House of Representatives and to a lesser extent in the Senate now than they did in 1993-1994," said Saint Mary's College Political Science Professor Dr. Sean Savage.

The bigger implications, Savage said, lie one year from now during the mid-term elections. Democrats currently hold a 79 seat majority in the House.

The big question now--can Republican momentum cut into that?

"Even if the Republicans do relatively well as the so-called "out" party and gain 12-15 seats in the House, the Democrats are still going to, presumably, have a fairly wide majority in the House on the day after the 2010 mid-term elections," Savage said.

Because of that, at least some supporters are willing to give the President more time to deliver on his promise of "change."

"I didn't think any of it was going to happen overnight. I think he's on the right track," said Costin.

"Nobody's going to fix the world in one year," agreed Michelle Sheperd. "We have to do it one step at a time."