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Sometimes, you just want to slap the national media silly. The lead story on NPR news today was the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial results and what the two Republican wins said about support for President Barack Obama.

Pul-eeze. I have no idea about Virginia, but anyone who lives in New Jersey knows Chris Christie's win had nothing to do with Obama. Still, the national media - as well as the partisan spinmeisters and other Washington navel-gazers - insist on seeing this election in the context of Obama's popularity.

This race had everything to do with Corzine and the sorry state of New Jersey - from insanely high property taxes to a budget soaked in red ink. Add voter discontent due to the recession, and Corzine lost.

Still, I have to admit I was surprised by the results. Corzine outspent Christie more than 2-1. When spending is that out of whack, it usually brings a predicatable win for the moneyed candidate. So whatever you think of Corzine or Christie, whether you're happy or depressed today about the election results, it's nice to know that sometimes huge amounts of money still can't buy an election.

A postscript: I counted dozens of campaign signs in the five-mile trip to work today. I'm taking off a few vacation days. When I come back Monday, I'm hoping they are gone. Remember: Responsible candidates don't litter.

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