The Election Lowdown

ELECTIONS

NEW YORK REGION:

Everything went well, or at least within the sphere of what was reasonably expected.

Mike Bloomberg won reelection as mayor by a large margin, as everyone knew that he was. My duelling concerns are that he restores some margin of credibility to the Republican party... good to the extent that "credibility" manifests as sanity, bad to the extent that "credibility" is unearned. In my humble opinion.

Of course, all over the city in council races, Democrats were stomping all over Republicans, as we've come to expect. I think a Republican won somewhere in Staten Island.

More interestingly, and significantly, Jon Corzine (D.) beat out Doug Forester (R.) for governor of New Jersey, and called his opponent out on "Bush-Rove" spin tactics in his acceptance speech. It was a little blustery, but I still think "good," progress requires a measure of audacity. People clearly haven't learned on their own how to scrutinize what they see and hear.


CHICAGO REGION:

I don't know how it went in Chicago.
Chicago readers, please post a couple comments on this.


FLINT REGION:

The post-election situation in Flint is both complex and possibly of national significance. Skeptics, don't weight in yet. I'm going to try to post more extensively on this by the end of the week.

A teaser?

Okay: two-thirds of city-council incumbants are out in favor of candidates backed by the mayor who, supporters and opponents alike, acknowledge is a loose cannon. If councilwide support manifests in support for Mayor Williamson's policies he will have extensive say in negotiations between Flint and the automotive companies, and possible pull with both the UAW and GM. Given the recent bankruptsy of Delphi and GM's continuing fall in market share, his policies could have an massive impacts on both local employment and GM's continuing viability. This is still speculation, but for the first time since 1998, decisions made in Flint may have broad national implications.

Comment away!

END OF POST.