In a word: Obama. Christie saw his approval ratings among Democrats jump from 26% before Sandy to 67% after Sandy. The difference? The Obama hug. Obama signalled it was ok to like Christie. Whether Christie is a conservative in moderate clothing is irrelevant given he was, metaphorically, endorsed by Obama. In fact the national Democratic party did little to oppose Christie, never mind support the hapless Barbara Buono. One could say that the election results are a reflection of the extended impact an Obama embrace can have and will have in 2016 on the national political scene. Cucinelli, instead, ran away from everything Obama: Obamacare, gay marriage, extended medicare, choice. And he lost. He lost because he did not win any Democratic support, anywhere. The lesson then, for those running in 2014: get an Obama hug if you want to win.