I'm less and less impressed with NRO. It would have been close to a miracle to win that race in a 2-1 Dem district that has had perpetual Dem's elected since forever. This doesn't provide any indications on the wave that's sweeping this country. There's a bunch of people on both sides that want the Tea Party to fail and look for any excuse to say "see, I told you they aren't a factor". Nobody assumed the Republicans would win EVERY race this year.
Besides, Critz had to run almost to the right of Burns to win. It's not like he ran on an authentic Dem platform. I'm sure he'll toe the Pelosi line if he makes it in there this Fall.
It would have been close to a miracle to win that race in a 2-1 Dem district that has had perpetual Dem's elected since forever. This doesn't provide any indications on the wave that's sweeping this country. You and a bunch of others here missed the whole point of the article.
When there is a political wave the following happens: parties win special elections in normally difficult districts; they win with weak candidates; they win all the close elections. They just win, win, and win.
Burns was genuinely surprised to lose. He didn't write a concession speech beforehand.