Steve Benen finds one of the most important lessons from Tuesday night:

Keep in mind, the two Republican statewide candidates who won this week — Christie in New Jersey and McDonnell and Virginia — wanted nothing to do with Palin, while the high profile conservative candidate who embraced Palin — Doug Hoffman in NY23 — lost in a district that hadn’t elected a Democrat since the 19th century.

The big loser Tuesday night wasn’t Democrats, despite what the beltway and MSM try to tell you. Instead the biggest loser was Sarah Palin and all her little minions. Now if only the Democrats can realize that.