Sending A Message
Whether national level politicians in the Republican party are smart enough right now to understand what just happened in Pennsylvania only time will tell. The party base revolted and threw out a large number of incumbents. The people who got tossed were very senior, had an enormous amount of clout and had strong fundraising ability.
And they got tossed out on their ears in the primary. They lost to newcomers with a reform message. By the next election cycle, yo can expect massive challenges in primaries to incumbents. And a lot of incumbents are going to lose and lose big if they do not change their ways very quickly.
Brightbill, 63, a lawmaker since 1982, lost to Mike Folmer, 50, a tire salesman who served briefly on Lebanon City Council and preached a message that it's "time for Republicans to be Republicans again." Brightbill came under fire for becoming a tax-and-spend career politician.
"The people have spoken," Jubelirer, 69, said shortly after congratulating his challenger, Blair County Commissioner John Eichelberger. "They have said this is a time for change. It is a historic year."
Eichelberger, 47, said the race was about redefining the Republican Party.
Pittsburgh entrepreneur Glen Meakem, founder and former CEO of FreeMarkets, said Eichelberger's win represents a victory for people who believe the private sector — and not government — drives growth and jobs for Pennsylvania. He supported Eichelberger early.
Note that this is dramatically different from what is being done to Joe Lieberman. His challenger is being supported by the "netroots" who are the real drivers of the challenge. In other words a majority of out-of-state people are driving that effort. The Pennsylvania effort was a grassroots drive by local people. Huge difference.
Republican politicians in Washington had better be thinking about this. And changing their ways.
By Black Jack, Wednesday, 17 May , 2006 @ 10:33 am
GOP representatives in DC might want to think of GWB’s amnesty proposal as the “Incumbent Replacement Act of 2006″ That name change will help them grasp the implications of defying the will of the American voters. Caveat emptor.
By Gaius, Wednesday, 17 May , 2006 @ 10:46 am
I like that name, Black Jack! Gives a whole new meaning to IRA!