(CNN) -- Twelve years ago, New York City taught the nation about resilience in the face of a massive attack. On Tuesday, New York again taught the nation that character counts. There is, of course, no comparison between the horror of 9/11 and a mayoral primary in America's largest city. But while the shadow of the twin towers still hangs over the hearts of many in New York, the persistence of daily life remains a quiet sign of defiance. This year, city politics seemed determined to hit a new low rather than aspire to new heights. A series of scandal-scarred candidates sucked up the oxygen amid an otherwise forgettable field. And for a while, Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer seemed likely to win their respective races on the strength of name ID and notoriety.
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John Avlon: New York's primary election sent an important message
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He says voters chose to reject comeback attempts of Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer
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Avlon says Republicans wisely chose not to nominate candidate with the most money
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Voters also didn't vote strictly along ethnic or demographic lines, he says
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But in rejecting the sociopathic circus in favor of more sober candidates who tried to build coalitions across old dividing lines, @placeholder sent the message that substance can beat slick self-promotion.
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And for that timely reminder, it is worth saying again -- thank you @placeholder.