The period since elections of 2010 has been busy for key political players and parties in Massachusetts. Nothing has occurred that would disturb conclusion of Professor Jerold Duquette in True Blue Mass 2010 that political equilibrium has returned to Bay State after Scott Brown's surprising victory in 2010 special election to fill Edward M. Kennedy's seat in U.S. senate. But there has been some change, a good deal of stasis, and revival of an unfortunate political malady that has long been part of state's political DNA - charges of corruption.That return to equilibrium has imperiled Senator Brown as he seeks re-election to a full term in 2012. Residents watched with more bemused interest than passion as former Governor Mitt Romney secured Republican presidential nomination. Even as typical partisan balance in state has largely remained undisturbed change has come to congressional delegation. Democrats in legislature don't face much challenge from forlorn state GOP, but they are nervous about criminal investigations by state attorney general and U.S. attorney.The big news in most states would be a favorite son capturing nomination of his party for presidency. Not in Massachusetts; here dominant story is battle between Senator Scott Brown and Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren for the people's seat. For most of 201 1 Democrats were adrift in their hopes of running a competitive race against Brown. The telegenic senator was by far most popular politician in state and enjoyed a huge war chest advantage over any contender. Prominent Democrats ducked race. Then along came a gift from oddest of donors - Republican caucus in U.S. senate. Their obstinate refusal to allow President Barack Obama to appoint Warren as first head of Consumer Financial Protection Board sent professor back to Massachusetts to contemplate her future. It didn't take much prodding from eager Democrats for Professor Warren to decide that her future would be as a candidate for senate seat held by Scott Brown. The Democrats went from no credible candidate to a forceful and accomplished advocate for middle class, and one who had been made a martyr by Republican Party.Where Scott Brown has frequently been described as a rock star, now Democrats had one of their own. Several lesser Democrats remained in field but they quickly scurried away in face of Warren onslaught. Only one, attorney Marisa DeFranco, remained to contest party's endorsement convention but Warren racked up another unusual achievement at gathering: she actually united perpetually feuding party regulars and reformers and dispatched DeFranco from field. Moreover, Warren's draw with liberals nationally enabled her to match and exceed Brown's fundraising prowess.Senator Brown, of course, is not one to sleep through a challenge. He has continued with his own prodigious fund raising efforts, and he remains amazingly popular in state (although some polls have found him no longer most popular politician in state trailing, of all people, Attorney General Martha Coakley). The likeable senator continued to appeal to Independents and Reagan Democrats, including Catholics and even members of union households. Brown touted his independent voice in Washington, often distancing himself from (to many Massachusetts voters) unpopular national Republican Party. One contrary example was his embrace of Blunt amendment on contraceptives, a stand that enraged pro-choice progressives but may have been calculated to appeal to Catholics upset with President Obama's mishandling of religious liberty concerns involved. The most prominent and silliest issue exploited by Brown was question of Warren's claim to Cherokee heritage. Though heritage question generated a lot of news stories and tweets it had little or no impact with electorate. …