Before the election of Republican Karen Handel in Georgia, the press was saying that a win would be a referendum for the prevailing party. With Handel's win, the talking points have changed to try to paint it as a win for Dems because of the 4 point spread.
But what is most obvious to me is the absolute and total refusal of most media outlets to give any credit whatsoever to President Trump or Republican voters. Nor will they give air time to the quiet but effective conservative movement. It seems they think if it is ignored it will go away. But it won't.