Yesterday's lessons?

[Anonymous]

How do you read the results from yesterday's votes? As a somewhat leftist Democrat, I was pretty happy. I think Sestak is a more solid candidate than Specter, and was glad to see that Lincoln will have a one-on-one with Halter in Arkansas. Also, it was a relief to see a Democrat hold on to Murtha's seat in PA. While I doubt that I will like many of Rand Paul's votes (assuming he wins in November), I don't mind seeing McConnell getting a put-down in his own state.

But mainly, I wonder what, if anything, you can read about the future. I'm skeptical of political prognostication, but at least to the extent that those now in Congress adjust their actions based on what they think the vote means, I suppose it will have some effect -- but what will it be? The Murtha seat should give the Dems a bit of reassurance, and I think the defeat of Specter and the Lincoln runoff will, if anything, give the Dems a bit of backbone to avoid tacking right. DeMint is already using the Paul victory to push rightward, but will the centrist end of the GOP spectrum be pulled in that direction or will they figure that their only future lies with the independent center?

What are your reactions and predictions?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:While I doubt that I will like many of Rand Paul's votes (assuming he wins in November), I don't mind seeing McConnell getting a put-down in his own state.

Lesson 1: The Republican primary winner can get fewer votes than the Democratic primary loser and nobody will notice.

Paul is going to get spanked in November.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:... Lesson 1: The Republican primary winner can get fewer votes than the Democratic primary loser and nobody will notice. ...

Wow! I missed that. However, it seems to be fairly standard in KY that many have stayed registered as Dems even though they vote Rep in the generals -- Mongiardo's primary vote was way over Bunning's in '04. Here's hoping this year will be different.


BTW, Olbermann noted the comparative votes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:... Lesson 1: The Republican primary winner can get fewer votes than the Democratic primary loser and nobody will notice. ...

Wow! I missed that. However, it seems to be fairly standard in KY that many have stayed registered as Dems even though they vote Rep in the generals -- Mongiardo's primary vote was way over Bunning's in '04. Here's hoping this year will be different.


BTW, Olbermann noted the comparative votes.

Personally, I was delighted to see Spector get what he so richly deserved for his excoriation of Anita Hill. This is an anti-incumbent electorate and I think McCain will lose the Rep. primary in Arizona and an ultra conservative will win his senate seat. I also think Harry Reid is in big trouble. Unfortunately, things do not look good for Dems., but, fortunately, politics can turn on a dime and it's a long time until the first Tuesday in Nov.