As we focus on primaries in California, it appears across the country that voters – sick of politics as usual and career politicians – are staking their claim by voting for newcomers.
California has always prided itself on its independence. When you look at the drama that has unfolded in primaries and special elections across the country, it makes you wonder if California Republicans will stake their own independence by voting for new leaders – the likes of Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina – or stick with tried and true career politicians – like Tom Campbell, Chuck DeVore and Steve Poizner.
While you were sleeping on the way to California’s June 8th primary, here’s what happened:
Massachusetts – The Special Election of U.S. Senator Scott Brown to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Ted Kennedy held national ramifications. Massachusetts voters elected a new leader – nothing like the old leader – and his mere presence challenged the national mood on health care as the debate came to its crescendo. Mandated "reform" led to pronounced tea party protests across the country. And they’re not done yet.
Kentucky – In the primary race on the Republican side for United State Senate, eye doctor Rand Paul, the anti-establishment candidate and son of Presidential Contender Ron Paul used some sharp rhetoric in describing the current Presidential Administration: "What I don’t like from the president’s administration is this sort of ‘I’ll put my boot heel on the throat of BP,’" said Paul who overwhelmingly won Tuesday’s GOP Senate primary in Kentucky and is a favorite of tea party activists. His will be a contest that will draw national grassroots support – but he’s also likely to say a few things that will cost him votes. He did not have the support of Kentucky’s U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in his bid so what happens next will be amusing. Stay tuned.
Pennsylvania – Party switch or not, Arlen Specter was going down. One of the longest, most accomplished United States Senators; Specter’s last 2 races caused him pain largely at his own behest. He is a party switcher and a vote switcher. Neither bodes well for an electorate yearning for solutions. Pennsylvania has a reputation for voting against its establishment candidates (James Carville’s first major victory was a little known U.S. Senator named Harris Wofford over former Bush Attorney General Richard Thornburg in the early 1990’s.)
Hawaii – who would have thought that Republican Charles Djou would win when just 18 months ago, President Obama carried this district with seventy percent of the vote? That makes Charles Djou’s victory especially sweet in the sugar cane state. Djou won with 39.5% of the vote against Democrats Colleen Hanabusa (30.8%) and Ed Case (27.6%). This is a state heavy under the influence of organized labor.
California – primaries take place in two weeks. If Republican tea partiers and anti-tax advocates vote the same way, those outside of government like Whitman and Fiorina may prevail. While Poizner and Campbell may look different in this primary, a few years ago, their views were not so different. All four major contenders are part of the Silicon Valley elite – only one – DeVore hails from conservative Orange County.
One issue that will impact this primary is the recent furor over the Arizona immigration law and enforcement of federal laws. There is a mood change going on in California regarding how we look at legal immigration and enforcement of existing laws. It will divide California voters but whether the divide is fueled by economic concerns or racial overtones remains to be seen. Some believe that Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado may provide a solution that brings Californians together. We’ll see.
No matter who wins the Republican nominations for Governor and U.S. Senate, the battle lines against career politicians Democrats Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer will be clear. It’s up to Republican and DTS voters now to decide if they want more of the same or a new California in both their June nominees and their ultimate choices come November.