U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor and the New York State legislature aren't tough enough to hold on through the storm.
But New Jersey is.
In Washington, Cantor -- a Virginia Republican who is majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives -- walked out of deficit reduction talks Thursday.
In Albany, lawmakers went home to rest without voting on marriage equality.
But in Trenton, a marathon day of brash protests outside and bareknuckled politicking inside the state capitol ended with a landmark vote on pension and benefits reform for unionized state workers.
For this real-life demonstration of their legendary gutsiness, Garden State residents can share a bit of morning-after pride.
Regardless of whether they view Thursday's vote as a disaster, or a triumph.