Elections

Just as when Bob Ehrlich, the Republican candidate, won the Governorship in Maryland in 2002 because he faced a weak Democratic candidate, I think the only thing that election results in Virginia ("GOP and McDonnell soar in Virginia" -- Post) and New Jersey ("Christie bests Corzine in election for N.J. governor" -- Post) from last night prove is that if you have weak candidates, it's a lot more likely you will lose. (See "Contests serve as warning to Democrats" from the Post.)

Because generally Democratic candidates favor transit and more rounded mobility programs (support of walking and biking, smart growth, etc.) this can be a problem. It certainly was in Maryland from 2003 to 2006.

That being said, Democrats are hardly perfect. But it is truly the case that it matters who wins elections.

The amendment to the Cincinnati charter that would have required a citizen vote on whether or not to build streetcars was defeated ("Voters reject city rail amendment" -- Cincinnati Enquirer), while citizens seem to have voted down a new land development in Davis, California ("Davis development defeated by 3-to-1 margin" -- Sacramento Bee).

And the Center for Transportation Excellence monitors elections on transportation-related issues around the country.

-- 2009 Election Monitoring & Results