The States: New England's Lesson

Teddy Kennedy, yes. "Chub" Peabody, maybe. But who was Phil Hoff? Or John King? Or Tom Mclntyre?

On Nov. 5, such names had no faces to most of the U.S. But in last week's elections, the nobodies became the somebodies who helped the Democratic Party score major breakthroughs across New England. Some won only by a flicker—and even then the results might be changed by recounts. In most instances, an argument could be made that local situations outweighed national or even regional trends. But the fact remained that New England's voting was a cause for Democratic rejoicing and G.O.P. gloom.

Republican Rancor....

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