NYT: G.O.P. Conservatives Topple Veteran State Lawmakers in Pennsylvania

[DeepModem Mom]

G.O.P. Conservatives Topple Veteran State Lawmakers in Pennsylvania
By JASON DePARLE
Published: May 18, 2006

WASHINGTON, May 17 — A revolt among Pennsylvania conservatives gained national attention on Wednesday after challengers toppled more than 12 state lawmakers they deemed insufficiently committed to small government and fiscal restraint.

Among those losing their positions in a Republican primary on Tuesday were the two State Senate leaders, Robert C. Jubelirer and David J. Brightbill, who had 56 years of incumbency between them and vastly outspent their upstart rivals.

Facing a tire salesman with little political experience, Mr. Brightbill, the majority leader, outspent his opponent nearly 20 to 1 and still captured just 37 percent of the vote.

"My campaign has always been about making Republicans Republican again," the winner, Mike Folmer of Lebanon, said. "Republicans have controlled the Legislature here since 1995, but the size, the scope and even the ineffectiveness of our government has continued to grow."

The results drew cheers from conservatives nationally, many of whom voice similar criticisms of Republican incumbents in Washington and have threatened their own revolts....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/us/18repubs.html

[Rainscents]

1. Wow, just wow!!!

This is refreshing!!! I hope this will send messages to Republican CONGRESS!!!

[antonialee839]

2. I bet Ricky Man on Dog is having a Malox moment.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. I think it's more of a "Fleet Enema" moment

But that's because I know how Ricky thinks. (And have been in therapy for it.)

--p!

[William Seger]

4. "making Republicans Republican again"

I don't know what he's talking about, there. As long as I can remember, Republicans have been all about helping the rich get richer, faster, and that's the one (and only) accomplishment of the Republican controlled government. Sounds to me that, like most "conservatives", he's dreaming of a past that never was.

[OKNancy]

5. kick

[jpak]

6. Pa. Voter Revolt May Portend Trouble

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/may/18/051800531.html

A voter revolt that ousted at least 14 Pennsylvania state lawmakers this week could portend trouble for Republicans elsewhere, experts said Thursday.

Eleven of the 14 who lost during the primary on Tuesday were Republicans, including the two highest-ranking state senators, who spent roughly $2 million combined on their campaigns.

Pat Toomey, president of the conservative Club for Growth, said the results reflected much wider voter dissatisfaction and national Republican leaders should respond.

"Since Tuesday, I'm convinced that the environment's even worse than I thought it was among Republicans," said Toomey, a former congressman who lost a primary to Sen. Arlen Specter in 2004.

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[TexasLawyer]

7. I hope that the same revolt

will happen against "deficits don't matter" Bush.

[Tiggeroshii]

8. That would be nice