FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In Boston they threw tea into the harbor. This time around they're throwing incumbents into the street. And it's a wonderful thing.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/10/art.bob.bennett.jpg caption="Bob Bennett (R-UT) was ousted by GOP activists."]
Utah has become the first state to oust an incumbent this year - three-term Republican Senator Bob Bennett lost to more conservative candidates in a second round of balloting at the state party convention.
It's the first time since 1940 that an incumbent senator in Utah has failed to get his party's nomination.
Bennett was a powerful and likable Senator, that just wasn't enough this time around. If anything, Republicans in Utah seemed to be turned off by his seniority.
Bennett himself acknowledged what he called the "toxic'" political atmosphere.
The country is in an anti-incumbent rage, and Bennett's loss may be an ominous warning sign for other incumbents. We can hope. National polls show deep-seated unrest and discontent with Washington. And other incumbents are feeling the heat.
In Iowa, long time Republican senator Charles Grassley is in trouble... he's still barely ahead but has dropped 20 points in a hypothetical match-up against his Democratic opponent.
In Pennsylvania, Republican-turned-Democrat turned turncoat Arlen Specter - the state's longest serving senator - may finally be shown the door. His lead over his primary challenger is evaporating. The Pennsylvania district held by the late Democratic Congressman John Murtha is in Jeopardy of going to a Republican for the first time in 35 years. It's all good.
Ironically, like the first one, this revolution also began in Massachusetts... with the election of a Republican to fill the Senate seat of the late Ted Kennedy.
Here’s my question to you: What message does Utah Sen. Bob Bennett's loss send to other incumbents?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
George in Illinois writes:
The upcoming elections will be like cleaning out your garage: You get rid of the obvious junk, then get rid of half the junk you have doubts about. What's left, you put back in the garage. And then you throw out all that stuff the next time you clean out the garage, regretting that you just didn't get rid of all of it the first time. In the end, you feel better.
Larry in Springfield, Ohio writes:
Jack, The message is: If you won't listen to the public, the public will pink slip you and get someone in office who will. And, party no longer matters!
Steve writes:
It would seem that the polarization will get worse. Everything I have read about Bennett indicated he was willing to work for the good of his state through many different administrations. When compromise and bipartisanship is a no-no to the "fringes", and I mean either side, there is big trouble brewing.
Gary in Poulsbo, Washington writes:
Democrat or Republican, it doesn't seem to matter. Finally, FINALLY, it seems that the American public is - if nothing more that just opening a sleepy eye to swat at the annoying fly disturbing its deep slumber - acknowledging that the people we send to Washington D.C. are there to do what we want them to do, for us and our country, instead of for themselves, their PACs and those with the biggest checkbooks.
Albert in Los Angeles writes:
Jack, We are talking about Utah. Let's not read anything into this more than white radical reactionary religious right-wingers are having a fit over a black person being president.
Andrea in Gilbert, Arizona writes:
The message it sends is that Americans want term limits for Congress. Two terms should be all that is allowed. It gets them back into the private sector to see what we are all dealing with. Who is willing to write that law? It doesn't matter what party you're with, you've been there too long and we are not any better for it.
Arlene in Illinois writes:
The trouble with incumbents is they think their job is like the Supreme Court, a lifetime appointment. Well, guess again brother.