American Morning
Primary races test anti-incumbent sentiment
(CNN) – There's a healthy dose of voter anger out there as folks head to the polls in a handful of primaries. Today's must-watch contests could wipe out some incumbents who are trying desperately to hang on to their jobs. That includes Arkansas, where Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln is locked in a tough battle against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter.
In Kentucky, Tea Party favorite Rand Paul, son of Rep. Ron Paul, is hoping to topple Sec. of State Trey Grayson, even though Grayson has the backing of the GOP establishment. And in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary, Rep. Joe Sestak is going after Sen. Arlen Specter, who was a Republican up until last year. CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley joined us on Tuesday's American Morning for a preview of the races.
Read more: Primaries put incumbents on line
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The media hype about the power of the Tea Party is geting quite tiresome. They put millions into Sen. Murtha's district and lost. Yes, they got Rand in but he is a loose cannon to run in a general election. They may get some candidates elected in the primaries, but that certainly does not mean they will be a threat in a general election. Wait and see. The voting public may be more angry at the Republicans because they have done NOTHING but obstruct, criticize and grandstand for seventeen months. They are the ones in Washington who should be voted out. At least the Democrats have done some very credible things especially keeping the country from a depression.
Here's a news flash for your political commentators. I don't care that Arlen Specter changed party affiliation and I don't care that he's an incumbent except that he has an admirable record of service to the people of Pennsylvania. I do care that he's 80 years old, running for a spot on the ballot in November at which time he would be running for a position that carries a six year term that begins January 3, 2011. There's no guarantee that any candidate will be able to serve a full term, but in the case of someone who is that old, the likelihood that he will be unable to actively and vitally serve the whole term is greater. I preferred Specter, but I voted for Sestak. So much for all of your political analysts telling why I voted for who I did.
Rep. Sestak is already a member of Congress. Why does he want to move from the House of Representatives to the Senate? Isn't this a career move? If so, how is he different in his motives than Arlen Specter? Both are viewing politics as a career and both want to keep their jobs and advance in them.
I think what we saw yesterday, and will likely see all summer, is Americans desperately trying to find candidates that, if elected, will represent the public. This will be a difficult task, as pretty much all politicians represent those who provide them campaign funding, and that is special interests.