[Ben Ficklin]

"....why did Republicans gain seats after the last one"

Because the central issue in 2014 was implementation of Obamacare, and the GOP effectively used ISIS and Ebola. Plus, the GOP had quickly capitulated on the shutdown

In 2010, the central issue was passage of Obamacare.

In 2012, there was no central issue, except Romney's "47%".

Go ahead. Shut down the govt in Dec and keep it shut down until the Nov elections.

[ilgipper]

In other words, the shutdown had zero effect.