What a difference a year can make.

Last year at this time, riding the charisma and coattails of Barack Obama, the Democrats took control of the White House and Congress and, here in Connecticut, increased their dominance of the General Assembly, securing veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate.

Tuesday, Republicans celebrated small, but significant victories when Conservative Republican Bob McDonnell handily won the governor's race in Virginia and in New Jersey Republican challenger Chris Christie scored an upset victory over incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat. President Obama had made several stops in New Jersey trying to bolster support for Corzine. (Note, the president also made a stop in Connecticut recently to bolster support for Sen. Chris Dodd.)

Locally, there was a sea change with Republicans scoring victories in the traditionally Democratic strongholds of New London, Montville and Norwich.

In New London three Republican candidates, joined by their cross-endorsed Green Party partner John Russell, now have a 4-3 majority and will name the mayor, almost certainly Rob Pero, and select the committee chairs. Democrats also lost control of the council in Montville to a coalition of Republcan and Independence for Montville Party candidates, bad news for Democratic Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz. In Norwich Republican Mayor-elect Peter Nystrom, a former state representative, defeated Norwich for Change Party candidate Robert Zarnetske 2,280 to 1,539. But even in defeat, it was a strong third party showing. The Democratic candidate, Mark Bettencourt, received only 830 votes. Democrat Benjamin Lathrop did not seek re-election.

What to make of it all?

Nationally, the results are bad news for President Obama because moderate Democrats will be less likely to fall in line on issues such as health care and cap and trade legislation for fear of voter retribution in the 2010 election. It also appears that many of those first-time and occassional voters that Obama got to the polls in 2008 stayed home this time, at least in Virginia and New Jersey.

In New London, the Democratic wounds were self-inflicted. The top two vote getters in the council race, Republicans Pero and Adam Sprecace, also happened to be councilors who conducted themselves professionally. Meanwhile Democrats were locking each other out of meetings and trading accusations about smear campaigns and racial insensitivity. The grown-ups won.

In Norwich, voters opted for the steady hand of Nystrom over the more incendiary approach of Zarnetske. Democrats still control the council 4-3, including Nystrom's vote. In Montville the decision by the Republicans and the Independence for Montville Party to work together was the key to their taking council control.

Yet the Republican and third party uprisings also had a wind to their back. Many Americans are uneasy about the level of spending in Washington to bail out Wall Street and stimulate the economy. The fierce health care debate has added to that angst. In Connectiuct I see much anger over the General Assembly's unwillingess to honestly deal with record deficits, turning instead to dubious revenue and savings projections and reckless borrowing to meet current needs. And those frustrated with both major parties will continue to consider third party alternatives.

Tuesday's results suggest that Republicans, if they can get their act together, could pick up significant seats in both the Connecticut General Assembly and the U,S. Congress in 2010. But that's a big if. And the election is a year away. And we all know what a difference a year can make.