Posted on 09/14/2010 4:59:22 AM PDT by IbJensen
The primary season is ending as it began, with the Republican establishment on one side in state after state, and tea party activists on another.
The competition is particularly strong in Delaware and New Hampshire, where GOP senatorial nominations are the prize, and New York, where Republicans pick a challenger for an uphill fall campaign for governor.
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Maryland also hold primaries Tuesday, along with the District of Columbia.
Among incumbents, veteran Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York and Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty face particularly stiff challenges -- one because of ethics charges in Congress, the other after conceding to voters he has behaved arrogantly over the past four years.
In Delaware, veteran Rep. Mike Castle, a moderate, vies with Christine O'Donnell for the nomination for a Senate seat. O'Donnell has the support of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as well as tea party activists. New Castle County Executive Chris Coons has no opposition for the Democratic nomination.
In New Hampshire, Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes is unopposed for the Senate nomination, and Republicans are settling a multi-candidate race. Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte campaigned with the support of the party establishment and Palin, while Ovide Lamontagne claimed backing from tea party activists. Bill Binnie and Jim Bender campaigned on the strength of their records as businessmen.
In Maryland, former Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich faces a primary challenge from Brian Murphy, 33, a business investor who was virtually unknown before winning Palin's endorsement last month.
Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, who ousted Ehrlich from office in 2006, faces minor opposition for the nomination to compete for a new term.
Wisconsin Republicans are choosing among three candidates to pick a challenger for Sen. Russ Feingold, and businessman Ron Johnson is widely viewed as the prohibitive favorite.
In Rhode Island, Providence Mayor David Cicilline, who is openly gay, campaigned in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination to run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Patrick Kennedy. Republicans are having a contested primary to select their own candidate.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is unchallenged for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Republicans are choosing between former Rep. Rick Lazio, backed by party officials, and Carl Paladino, a wealthy developer who campaigned with support from tea party activists.
So far this year, seven incumbent members of Congress -- four Republicans and three Democrats -- have been defeated in primaries. In addition, party-backed candidates have been defeated in Republican contests in Nevada, Colorado, South Carolina, Kentucky and elsewhere.
RNC Leadership is a real problem.
David Cicilline, who is openly gay, campaigned in a three-way race
That could have been worded different ya know.
I love how the MSM always frames Ovide Lamontagne as the “Tea Party candidate”
Yet Ayotte beats Ovide in every poll amongst Tea Party voters.
They are trying hard to take out Ayotte who would crush Hodes. Lamontagne is gun control advocate who comes off as a bit odd, was crushed in his only run for statewide office, and would give Hodes his best shot at winning.
True. In fairness we can’t expect them to stand down and accept we’re trying to put them out of business though. LOL
However, had they converted to our side philosophically we wouldn’t be trying to throw them out so it’s the establishment’s fault their living is jeopardized.
“It’s the Republican Establishment vs. the Tea Party As 7 States and D.C. Hold Primaries”
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No.
It is the the individual (the rest are AINOs) Americans mistaken for the “T Potty” who *may* prevail over and destroy the repub potty who are our only chance.
We cannot return to our Constitutional roots until the repub potty (2-party system) is destroyed.
The poor (rats) will always be with us no matter what they and others call themselves.
For those with eyes and ears.
Yet Ayotte beats Ovide in every poll amongst Tea Party voters.
The confusion over who is the outsider extends to Palin and Demint who have each endorsed different candidates in this race.
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