Tea Party's pension referendumb defeated in Cincinnati

Ladies and gentlemen, we may have just witnessed the death of the Cincinnati Tea Party - such as it was.

In today's election, Cincinnati voters have resoundingly rejected Issue 4 - a Tea Party-penned referendum that would have stolen the pensions of city workers. Issue 4 was bankrolled heavily by out-of-town money. But it's losing by an incredible 78% to 22%.

Similar measures had been approved in other cities in recent years, but it wasn't until the Cincinnati campaign that people discovered what it was all about.

Tonight could be a rough night for the Evil Empire. The longtime Republican mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, has also been ousted in a landslide. And a Republican incumbent was defeated in Greensboro, North Carolina - further establishing the GOP as only a minor party in big-city America. The reelection of New Jersey's scandal-tainted Gov. Chris Christie might be the only major fly in the ointment - but if it's any consolation, the Tea Party hates him too.

The only thing I can think of that might save urban Republicans tonight is if they "find" votes in Charlotte at the last minute.