[joebuck]

My major impression of the election was interest in the fact that Barr and McKinney, both generally perceived to be on the "far" side of their respective ideologies, lost and lost in their primaries. Conventional wisdom holds that the ideologues do better in the primaries. I see both parties taking a lesson from this and running to the middle. Since the dems have further to run to get to the middle, I generally consider this to be a good thing. I think that America, post 9-11 is in a very cautious mood and perceived extremists will not be treated kindly at the polls.

[Unknown Freeper]

Majette said she welcomes the emerging diversity of DeKalb County's black population.

"It is more representative of the diversity of this region," she said, "and it bodes well for the kind of coalition building that will be most effective in helping me serve this district."

Perhaps Denise is well aware of how much the crossover votes helped her win.

[Moby Grape]

I strongly disagree that the lesson is to "run in the middle"...Barr lost because he MOVED into antoher already elected person's district....McKinney lost because republicans took to the voting booths to slap her loud mouth, and because (as the article tells you), blacks don't like her either...Moderates win ONLY where there is no choice...How can anyone suggest that canidates should run in the middle during primaires with so much evidence pointing to the fact that it all depends on WHERE they are....Kennedy is NOT in the middle, but keeps winning...Thurmond and Helms kept winning and they are NOT moderates.

[LS]

Don't read too much into this. The ideological issues right now---ASIDE from the "war on terror," which McK blew big time---are not clearly defined to the American public.

You and I know that lowering taxes would spark a new round of economic growth, but conditions aren't bad enough (or good enough) to make that argument effectively. Think back on the two big "turnover" elections, 1980 and 1994: in both cases, one economic and military, the other involving government abuse, oppression, and Hillarycare, there were huge CLEAR issues confronting the electorate. I think the rejection of McK was due to her loony pro-Arab sentiments, and the rejection of Barr due to his affinity for the tube and his rather poor marital/moral record.