MA: PolitickerMA.com’s Top Political Stories of 2008

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As we prepare to ring in the New Year, we here a PolitickerMA.com took a few moments to reflect on what has been an eventful 2008. After surveying several political insiders and observers, here is our breakdown of the Top 11 - cause we couldn't stop at 10 - political stories of the past year.
What did we leave out? The comments section awaits below.
Happy New Year.
Former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson and Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner arrested on corruption charges - This one almost goes without saying and, in many ways, sums up a year that was marked by corruption and scandal. Wilkerson and Turner's arrest "cast a cloud over our entire system," one insider told PolitickerMA.com. "For regular folks in tough times, their faith gets shaken."
Of course, in addition to Wilkerson (who resigned from the State Senate) and Turner (who has fiercely refused to resign from the City Council), state Sen. James Marzilli was arrested for allegedly harassing multiple women in Lowell and later resigned only after it was discovered he represented the State Senate at an environmental panel in Germany. And who can forget about Middlesex Register of Probate John Buonomo's resignation after being charged for stealing change from copy machines.
DiMasi's connections to Vitale fuel battle to become the next speaker - The ongoing saga surrounding House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and his relationship with confidant and accountant Richard Vitale has become the top issue going into the new year. Vitale has been indicted for allegedly illegally lobbying on behalf of a ticket brokers' association by improperly contacting DiMasi. On top of that, a federal grand jury is now investigating the awarding of a multi-million dollar state contract to Cognos ULC, which reportedly paid Vitale to lobby on its behalf. Uncertainly surrounding how secure DiMasi's re-election as speaker next year has begun to crop up, and state Reps. Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and John Rogers (D-Norwood) have been actively (and publicly) working to secure enough support to be the next speaker, though many observers say Rogers was wounded by his own ethical problems.
U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy's battle with brain cancer - When the Hyannis Port Democrat and Liberal Lion of the Senate fell ill this year, the state rallied around him. Kennedy, who has served in the Senate for more than 40 years, gave a rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention and has since reduced his workload to focus on health care reform in the next Congress as he continues treatment.