The Good News

In a development that is being celebrated by liberals and conservatives alike, Senator Arlen Specter lost his party’s nomination last night.  Liberal Joe Sestak won the Democrat primary with 54% of the vote.

Rand Paul’s victory in the Kentucky GOP primary is being celebrated today as a significant “Tea Party” victory.  Again, both conservatives and liberals are cheering this development.  Conservatives see Paul’s nomination as an important step in reducing the size and scope of the Federal government.  Last night, Paul proclaimed, “I have a message, a message from the tea party, a message that is loud and clear and does not mince words: We have come to take our government back.”

Liberals are cheering because they see Paul as an easier target in November due to Paul’s call to eliminate the Education Department, cut farm subsidies, and increase the age for Social Security eligibility.  Liberals may be surprised come November.

Senator Blanche Lincoln has also upset liberals and conservatives alike.  Last night, she failed to win the Democrat primary with 50% of the vote, forcing her and Lt. Governor Bill Halter into a run off election.   No matter who wins this race, Republican John Boozman will face a candidate that is pro labor and pro ObamaCare.  Both of these platforms have been rejected by the American People and early polls show Boozman defeating either candidate this fall.

Today, liberal pundits are claiming that the GOP is overconfident in their chances to take back the House this coming fall.  They also claim that yesterday’s election results prove voters are simply “anti incumbent” and equally angry with both political parties.  Although there may be some truth to this conclusion (time will tell), I think it ignores the more important fact that voters have clearly rejected the liberal agenda of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.  These same liberal commentators forget that Charles Djou will likely win the Hawaii Special election this coming Saturday, and that Pres. Obama’s approval ratings remain low.  Also, Republicans now have an opportunity to pick up Chris Dodd’s Senate seat in Connecticut after voters discovered that Blumenthal exaggerated his military record.

The Bad News

Although many good conservatives won the GOP primary last night, we failed to take the PA-12 congressional seat away from the Democrats.

Mark Critz – a former John Murtha staffer – won a decisive victory over Tim Burns (53% – 45%).  A couple of take aways…

1. In a district that is 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats over Republicans, this election was closer than it should have been.
2. Critz had to run a conservative campaign in order to win.  He claimed to be pro life and pro gun.  He also claimed to be anti ObamaCare (although he does not support repeal).
3. Critz will need to reinforce these credentials between now and November if he wishes to win a full U.S. House term this coming fall.

We must continue to work hard in order to take our country back from the liberals in Congress and the White House.  Our loss in the PA-12 special is a reminder that we should take nothing for granted, except the fact that Nancy Pelosi and President Obama will stop at nothing to force their agenda onto the American people.

Here is some insightful commentary.

• Michael Barone “Republican lesson from Pennsylvania 12 special“
• Ed Morrissey, “The muddled message from yesterday’s elections“
• John Gizzi, “Judgment Day“
• The Foundry’s Morning Bell, “We’ve come to take our government back“