NO on One...and other Election 2009 round-up

This was the slogan behind the Maine movement to permit gay marriage in the state by popular referendum ("One" referring to its question number on the ballot). The initiative lost, dealing yet another blow to the gay rights movement. I am very disappointed with Mainers- in such a "live and let live" state, even if you can't see how this is an important civil rights issue, why are you messing with people's personal lives?

In other political news from Election Night 2009, Republicans swept the governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey, sparking talk about whether this was a referendum on President Obama or not (I tend to think not too much- the Dems in both states ran a bad campaign, and NJ in particular has been very dissatisfied with incumbent Gov. Corzine). On the other hand, the special House races trended Democratic in California and upstate New York-- in fact, in a fascinating election, the NY-23 district elected a Democrat for the first time since the 1800s. Quite a mixed bag from the results last night. Will write on this more later, if I have time.