Be Uncomfortable, Be Very Uncomfortable

The rumblings of voter dissatisfaction started in New Jersey and Virginia, then moved to Massachusetts. But it was Tuesday night’s election results that ushered in further confirmation of a referendum by the people that indicated no longer is it going to be acceptable for elected officials to run roughshod over the constituents that elected them to office. We are watching, we are paying attention and we are putting politicians on notice. The message on election night was loud and clear – snub the people that put you in office and your political career will be short-lived. No longer can career politicians sit back fat, dumb, happy and comfortable making back-room deals and squandering the people’s money.

Notable election results included the ouster of Arlen Specter. There’s no doubt that at 80 years old it was time for this politically confused man to leave Washington and retire gracefully. Rand Paul won the Republican primary for senator in Kentucky, a so-called “Teaparty victory”. On the other end of the spectrum in Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln will face Lt. Gov. Bill Halter in a runoff on June 8th. It was thought that Lincoln is too conservative with Halter being a union favorite.

The great unknown is whether Barack Obama will be a help or hinderance to those candidates campaigning for this November’s elections. It’s probably a safe assumption that most Washington politicians still don’t get it. Between now and November incumbents should be uncomfortable, be very uncomfortable.