Moldy Peaches

Welcome Back Mike. The citizens of the City of New York have re-elected Michael Bloomberg (R) with almost 60% of the votes. He wins as a Republican in a city that has 5 registered Democrats for every Republican, not an easy feat.

Virginia and New Jersey stay blue. Senator Jon Corzine (D) easily won in New Jersey and Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) taking Virginia despite a last-minute campaign push for his opponent from President Bush.

In more pressing matters:

The same-sex marriage contest in Texas was, as expected, lopsided; near-complete returns showed the gay-marriage ban supported by about 76 percent of voters. Like every other state except Massachusetts, Texas didn't permit same-sex marriages previously, but the constitutional amendment was touted as an extra guard against future court rulings.

This result shouldn't shock anyone since almost 70% of Texans recently surveyed believe that homosexuality is wrong, the Klu Klux Klan recently lead a rally against the bill in Austin, civil unions are banned and sodomy involving same sex partners was illegal until two years ago. The Texas sensibilities are so sensitive that the legislature earlier this year considered a ban on risqué cheerleading. Which, one could argue is a greater threat to the traditional family (heterosexual marriage) than gay marriage, but what do I know.

Just to prove that Texas is progressive - In a local Texas election, voters in White Settlement, named 160 years ago after white settlers moved into a mostly Indian area, emphatically rejected a proposal to change the town's name to West Settlement. Some civic leaders felt the traditional name should be changed to lure business investment; nearly 92 percent of voters disagreed.

Arnold's army of proposed legislation in California is getting mixed reviews. His money bills went up in flames, but his attempts to limit teacher's tenure and neuter trade union political activity may pass.