Australian media is full of stories on the special election underway now in New England. With the death of Senator Ted Kennedy his vacant seat is subject to a hotly-contested special election. The election also falls neatly on the first anniversary of Obama’s inauguration.

Yet this election is more than a seat-filling exercise. This has become a barometer on the first year of a change president. The area being contested has always been considered the left-leaning centre for America. Some pundits question – is it a leftist state, or was that defined by Kennedy – who was widely supported, election after election?

Going to the polls the Republican (or right-leaning) candidate has the edge. The Democratic candidate is said to have run a lack-lustre campaign. (Note to Washington: Help her, guys!)

So all the way down in Australia we’re keenly watching the election in Massachusseettss
Massachewsits
Massachoosetts Massachusetts. Perhaps after we’ll party in Woolloomooloo!