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Mass Strike Rattles Incumbents

May 12, 2010 (LPAC)—Incumbents across the United States from both parties are feeling the heat of the mass strike—especially on issue of the Wall Street bailouts and TARP. And Lyndon LaRouche has made Glass-Steagall the test for patriotism — whether you are a citizen activist or an elected official. Incumbents are looking at the Utah revolt that toppled three-term Senator Bob Bennett in the Republican caucus as voters chanted "Tarp! Tarp! Tarp!", wondering if they are next.

On May 11, as primaries were being held in West Virginia and Nebraska, and a special election was taking place in Georgia, National Journal reporter Charlie Cook writes a column called "Off to the Races: The Conservative Revolt" — but Democrats are just as threatened with getting kicked out by voters for their support of TARP — or Obama's Nazi healthcare bill — as Republicans are.

One of the most threatened Democrats is West Virginia's Rep. Alan Mollohan, who has been in Congress for 30 years, and who is running behind his challenger in the Democratic Primary, State Sen. Mike Oliverio. Oliverio is hitting Mollohan with two issues: his support for Obamacare, compromising on the abortion issue, and the investigation of Mollohan for alleged ethics violations, in which no charges were ever brought. The WVA polls closed at 7:30 PM and the election is being played as a "trend" indicator. But even if Mollohan wins the primary, he has to face the wrath of voters in the general election.

On the Republican side, the threats are more open. Cook says in his article, "Republicans are very lucky they don't have more House and Senate members who supported TARP facing competitive primaries this year," because they would lose, as Bennett did. Cook reports that that stalwart Orin Hatch privately told friends that he didn't think he'd be able to win a primary himself this year.

In a battle for one of Nebraska's House seats (primary today), 6-term Republican incumbent Lee Terry is up against "long shot" Matt Sakalosky. Both have been courting Tea Party supporters, but Sakalosky, who hasn't raised much money, has been to their events, and campaigns on the slogan, "Have you had enough?" In a straw poll of 90 voters last week, Sakalosky took 50% to Terry's 47%.

In Kentucky, the Tea Party motion has split the Republican establishment in the upcoming Republican primary for Senate on May 18. Trey Grayson, who has the endorsement of Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, is significantly trailing Tea Party movement favorite Rand Paul (son of Rep. Ron Paul), in a race for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Jim Bunning. Paul has been endorsed by Bunning, and has the implicit endorsement of South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint.

Rep. John Boozman of Arkansas (primary May 18) is facing seven opponents for the Republican nomination for Senate. All are talking about his bailout vote, and State Sen. Gilbert Baker, Boozman's chief rival, now brings a blue plastic tarp to his events to symbolize the TARP. Baker's campaign has set up a "bailoutsarebad" website.

Four-term Rep. Gresham Barrett of South Carolina (primary June 8), now running for governor, once considered a "reliable conservative," was booed at a political rally last April because of his bailout vote. Greenville political consultant Chip Felkel says Barrett appears to be weathering the criticism but adds, "If he has an Achilles heal in his campaign, it is that vote."

TARP support contributed to the defeat of TX Sen Kay Baily Hutchison, by Gov Richard Perry in March. Perry had dubbed her Kay "Bailout" Hutchison, because of her vote.

28-year veteran Rich Boucher (VA-9) is in trouble because of his vote for green cap-n-trade bill (another Tea Party issue). Facing challenge from Morgen Griffith, caucus is May 22.


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