May 19, 2010, 11:37 am

Angry Boomers and Other Election Clues

By THE EDITORS New York Times

The outcomes of the primaries in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arkansas showed that both the Democratic and Republican parties face threats from candidates who are able to portray themselves as outsiders willing to shake up the system.

In the Opinion section
The Conversation: Let the Polarization Begin

Rand Paul, the Tea Party candidate in Kentucky, prevailed in the Republican senatorial primary against Trey Grayson, who was endorsed by Senator Mitch McConnell. Senator Arlen Specter was defeated by Representative Joe Sestak in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania. And Senator Blanche Lincoln now faces a run-off election against her challenger in June.

Of course, intra-party contests tend to draw more ideological voters. Even so, the anti-incumbent streak was apparent. What do these results indicate for the November elections?

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/ ... -clues/?hp