Well, the Massachusetts state elections have finally come to a close, and once again the good citizens of Massachusetts have fought off the Godzilla-like monster that is Democratic Tyranny.

Rising from Boston Harbor every four years to threaten a Democratic stranglehold over Beacon Hill, this horrible monster has again been struck down with the election of Republican Mitt Romney, ensuring another four years of democracy in Massachusetts.

So now that the election is over, it’s time we look back on all that happened in the past year and point out the truly great political moments: the ones that made us laugh, cry and challenge ourselves to redefine our duty as citizens to a free republic (but mostly laugh, of course).

So without further ado, the Top Ten Political Moments of the Massachusetts Governor’s Race:

10. Carla Howell, the Libertarian candidate, made a pretty insensitive move when she broke a nationwide taboo by spending the anniversary of Sept. 11 campaigning. The fact that she was campaigning at a gun store and declared that all Americans should buy guns in order to “protect themselves from terrorists” was only the icing on the cake.

9. Robert Reich’s “Reform Express,” or as I like to think of it, “The Winnebago of Social Justice,” which traversed the state college-road-trip style. Blaring the song “It Ain’t Over till Its Over” as his fervent (and mostly out-of-state/international) supporters shouted clever political catch phrases like “Go Bob Go!” and “Go Bob Go!” over and over, it’s a wonder how Bob couldn’t capture the minds of the voters.

8. While courting voters at a service station in South Boston, Mitt Romney achieved the pinnacle of campaign corniness when he showed off his “Wrench of Reform,” and worked under the hood of a beat-up yellow Chevy with the words “Beacon Hill Mess” painted on the side. After what must have been an uncomfortably long time, Romney put down his mighty wrench and declared the dilapidated auto “beyond repair.”

7. Jill Stein, hero of the ultra-left, shook hands and mingled at Hempfest this year, obviously courting the powerful “Hippie/Stoner” lobby in her governor’s bid. Dr. Stein not only pulled in some guaranteed supporters (if they remembered to show up on Election Day) but she also gave a whole new meaning to the nomenclature of the “Green” Party.

6. On Election Day last week, exactly 15,262 people got in their cars, drove to their local polling station, signed in to vote, took their ballots, and (knowing exactly what they were doing at the time) consciously voted for Barbara C. Johnson for governor of Massachusetts.

5. Warren Tolman, the Clean Elections candidate, and his “Bald is Beautiful” Campaign ads. Easily the funniest waste of taxpayers’ money since the self-cleaning Porta-Potties in Fanueil Hall.

4. Jim Rappaport’s utter refusal to accept his inevitable loss of the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Rather than simply fading away like all good soldiers, Rappaport preferred to spend a small fortune on a negative ad campaign against Kerry Healey in hopes of discrediting her, subsequently causing a rift within the party. Rappaport still lost the primary by a 28-percent margin.

3. Tom Birmingham’s boasting at the debate at Harvard on environmental concerns that he would spend 20 percent of the state’s budget on cleaning up the environment … 20 percent of the budget is approximately $4.6 billion.

2. Robert Reich’s upping of Birmingham’s ante, when he claimed, at the same debate, that he would spend 21 percent on cleaning up the environment – 21 percent of the budget is approximately $4.83 billion.

1. And finally, Shannon O’Brien’s egotistical smirk-fest at the fifth and final gubernatorial debate is the obvious winner in my book. Rather than actually debate Romney on key issues important to the state’s future, O’Brien preferred to be condescending and self-righteous, waving her finger at her opponent like he was some naughty three-year-old and completely losing the confidence and respect of all the undecided voters in Massachusetts.