More election fall-out and analysis

A thousand articles queued up, so apologies if I lump them into categories...

• On the effects of pay-hike outrage:
  
  
  
  1. The Inquirer reports that Harrisburg is aquiver over the electorate's unwillingness to let go of their righteous anger, and what it may mean for their political fortunes.

     The anti-pay-raise movement that many had dismissed early on as a passing thunderstorm is developing into a Category 5 hurricane that threatens to uproot incumbents across the state next year.

     Even Rendell is advised to look after his image. The Daily News has plenty of advice as well.
     
     
  2. Meanwhile, ousted state Supreme Court justice Nigro finally appears in public to rail against the irrational hordes who took him down. He never had a say on the pay-raise issue but appears to have become its sacrificial lamb. The Inquirer editorial page has little sympathy, and dire tones for others who may fall victim.
  
  
• On New Jersey politics:
  
  
  
  1. One piece looks at acting Governor Codey, who will be returning to his job as state Senate president, but is also under the microscope as a possible replecement for Governor-elect Corzine's US Senate seat (did you follow that?). It also takes a look at how relations might be among regional powerhouses Corzine, Codey, and presumed state House speaker Joseph Roberts.

     Codey contemplated challenging Corzine for the gubernatorial nomination before deciding he could not amass the necessary cash, while clashes between Codey and Roberts over property-tax rebates resulted in an impasse over the state's $28 billion budget last spring.
     
     Yet the Democrats are likely to agree on a light December lame-duck agenda focusing on stem-cell research and a proposed statewide smoking ban. Two of the state's largest problems, the property-tax burden and the nearly bankrupt Transportation Trust Fund, are expected to remain untouched until Corzine is sworn in as governor in January, Democrats said yesterday.

     And then there are the current NJ Reps who might be eying that US Senate seat too. Expect more developments...
     
     
  2. Another piece looks at the NJ GOP, reeling from a number of defeats on Tuesday.

     Many Republicans hope the party can change its fortunes by nominating Assemblyman Thomas Kean Jr., son of popular former Gov. Tom Kean. The elder Kean and former Gov. Christie Whitman are the only Republicans to have won statewide in the last 30 years.

     That's getting into Chicago Cubs territory!
     
     
  3. A third Inquirer piece looks at the negative ads that characterized the gubernatorial battle. By way of them, two stellar candidates turned themselves into distasteful options for even the most devoted voters.
     
     
  4. And a very short piece calculates how the ginormous spending in the top NJ election broke down in terms of cost per vote. heh.
  
  
• Other:
  
  
  
  1. An Inquirer report speculates that the strong yes-vote on Philadelphia's pay-to-play charter measure mainly reflected citizen anger over recent government scandals. Ya' think? The editorial page warns City Hall to pay attention.
     
     
  2. Another piece looks at the small races around the Delaware valley that handed Democrats a surprising array of victories. (Confession: I don't know where a lot of these places are! Guess I need more road trips.) And for those looking way down the ticket, they have a round-up of school board races too.
     
     Update: I meant to include a link to this piece by Tom Curry expressing amazement at some of these smaller outcomes and giving them some context.
     
     
  3. Speaking of places I've never heard of, apparently Linesville, PA, just elected a mayor who's 18 years old. More pizza for all!!