Primaries put incumbents on the line

According to CNN.com, as this years primaries approach Tuesday, many incumbents are worried that they will not make the cut again. Kentucky, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania are all holding their primary elections on Tuesday. Many politicians are saying, "These contests will put the nation's anti-Washington mood to the test as voters choose between incumbents and anti-establishment candidates." These races are coming into the wake of some tough blows to lawmakers. Sen. Bob Bennett, a three-term senator, did not advance at the Utah GOP convention and Rep. Alan Mollohan did not win over fellow Democrats in last week's West Virginia primary. Leaders from both parties agree..."It's a tough year for experienced politicians."

According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, " THere is no question. There is, at this moment, an ant-incumbent mood." In Pennsylvania, Senator Arlen Specter, a five-term incumbent and ex-Republican, is running a close race with Rep. Joe Sestak, a retired Navy admiral. Spectar was a Republican until he crossed party lines to cast a deciding vote on President Obama's Stimulus plan. After he crossed to the other side, he faced plummeting GOP support in his Primary battle against Pat Toomey. In Arkansas, Senator Blanch Lincoln is facing an insurgent campaign in her third term running. Unions and progressive organizations are taking sides with her opponent, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. Halter had argued with Lincoln for not supporting the Health Care plan option during the debates in Congress. The polls are showing Lincoln with a solid lead. In Kentucky, Trey Grayson and Rand Paul are fighting to succeed Senator Jim unning, a Republican who is not running for re-election. Grayson, the Kentucky secretary of State was the favorite early on in the running. But recent polls show the lead given to Paul, a physician and son of former GOP presidential candidate Rep. Ron paul.

This relates with what we had learned in class because this article is discussing the probability that a well known-incumbent has of being re-elected. They have a well known name, more money to spend on the election campaign, and credit for many successful bills passed. But, it looks like the tides are turning because of the recent uproars in the political world, especially with the new Health Care bill in play. Personally, I can easily see how many people are voting for new candidates, and not incumbents. It has been a rough year for Americans and Obama's new policies have not exactly played in any of these incumbents favor.

By: Katy Miller (Extra Credit)