Election 2002: Highlights, Lowlights And Cooter

The Democrats got trounced. The Republicans tried not to gloat. And American politics proved as strange as ever. Here are the best and worst of the 2002 midterms

INTEREST GROUP LEAST LIKELY TO BE AWARE OF ITS LOSS New Mexico voters rejected a ballot proposal to end the state constitution's prohibition on voting by "idiots and insane persons." They can, however, still run for office.

MOST REDUNDANT BALLOT INITIATIVE Nevadans voted to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, which was not legal in Nevada.

MOST CLOSELY ALIGNED VOTING BLOC Loretta, below right, and Linda Sanchez of California became the first sisters to serve together in Congress (the first brothers served together in 1853). The Sanchezes may share a house in Washington, an arrangement that would undoubtedly be adapted...

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