News Roundup: A Look Back, A Look Ahead

Now two days after Election Day, there’s looking back to do: what happened at the polls, and why? And there’s looking ahead to do, too: what do the voting results mean for Massachusetts, and what will the winners (and losers) do now? Today’s top election stories follow that divide.

Patrick Begins Plans For Second Term

WBUR reports: Less than 24 hours after securing his second term, Gov. Deval Patrick insisted he will serve all four years — but that this term is his last.

Further:

• Listen: Patrick: No 1. Goal Is ‘Getting People Back To Work’ (WBUR)
• Patrick Limits Agenda, Says He’ll Make Final Term Count (Boston Globe)
• Patrick: I’m No Lame Duck! (Boston Herald)
• Patrick Says Casino Bill In Hands Of Legislature (Springfield Republican)
• His Dream Unfulfilled, Baker Still Has Numerous Options (Boston Globe)

Is The ‘Scott Brown Effect’ Fading?

WBUR reports: … voters rejected Brown’s suggestion to shake up the status quo. Every Republican candidate for Congress and those running for statewide office lost. The GOP did pick up seats in the House on Beacon Hill, but lost one in the Senate. Still, the chair of the state’s Republican Party doesn’t see the races as a total defeat.

Further:

• Chart: The Voting Shift Between Brown And Baker (Boston Globe)
• Democrats Say Hopes Rise Of Beating Brown (Boston Globe)

For Democrats, Door-To-Door Did Trick

The Boston Globe reports: Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman John Walsh said the strategy was born in the aftermath of Democrat Martha Coakley’s loss to Brown in the January special Senate election. Late in the campaign, Coakley foundered and Brown surged, and Democrats failed to get their supporters to the polls.

Further:

• Blog: Patrick’s (Grass)Roots Are Showing (Boston Phoenix)
• Canvassing Was Key To Dems’ Wins, Says Party Chief (Boston Globe)
• Turnout Told Tale For State Democrats (Boston Globe)

Keating Ready To Take Over From Delahunt In Congress

The Patriot Ledger reports: (Rep.-elect Bill) Keating will go to Washington in January, becoming a freshman lawmaker in a deeply polarized Congress.

Further:

• Radio Boston spoke to Keating yesterday
• Perry Faces Uncertain Future (Cape Cod Times)

Liquor Store Owners Toast Repeal Of Alcohol Sales Tax

The MetroWest Daily News reports: The repeal is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2011. It does not affect the sale of alcohol at restaurants, which will continue to charge a 6.25 percent meal tax.

Further: Money Fuels Repeal Of Alcohol Tax (Boston Globe)

‘Hard Work Pays Off’

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports: It wasn’t until 75 minutes after the polls closed Tuesday that U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, after many months of hard campaigning, felt some relief.

Further: A Sobering Morning After (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)