Primaries (Part Two)

Primaries (Part Two)

As campaign season looms before us, we will take a look at the initial primary results as a gauge for the attitude of the nation and as foreshadowing for midterms. 
California
Republican primary: Steve Poizner was defeated by Meg Whitman for the California nomination for Governor. Poizner, who is very state-security oriented, is slightly more conservative than the economically-oriented Whitman, who has supported current Democratic Senator Barbra Boxer in the past.
Iowa
Republican primary: Though the tea-party buzz is far from dying down, in Iowa yet another tea-party candidate lost to their more moderate counterpart. Bob Vander Plaats was defeated by former Iowa Governor Terry Brandstad.
Nevada
Republican primary: Under national focus due to the fallibility of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Republican nomination for the Nevadan Senate seat was won by Sharron Angle, a tea party favorite. Though Reid has often been seen as unlikely to win his seat back, the addition of such a right-wing, tea party candidate could be beneficial. Reid's relative moderate leanings could prove a tremendous advantage when facing Angle. Angle defeated Nevada Republican Chairwoman Sue Lowden.
Arkansas
Runoff: Blanche Lincoln, in a multi-million dollar race, trumped challenger Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter in a runoff election after the initial primary. Lincoln's win not only marks another win by an incumbent (which is only relevant because of the supposed anti-incumbent attitude in America), but also a union loss. Halter, who was backed by unions and various environmental organizations, fell to Lincoln, a notorious blue-dog Democrat.