The First Incumbent

The first incumbent to be booted out of the Congress in 2010 was a Republican, as Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) couldn't even get enough support at a state party convention to get on the primary ballot, as conservatives and Tea Partiers chalked up their first victory this election year.

What was so wrong with Bennett?  It pretty much boiled down to a few things.

The four term Utah Senator voted for the Wall Street Bailout proposed by President Bush in 2008; he tried to find common ground on health care with a Democrat; and he funneled pork barrel dollars back to his home state.

Did he vote with President Obama on anything?  Not that I can remember.  He was against the stimulus.  He voted against the health reform bill.  

Bennett was no RINO (Republican in Name Only).  He has a lifetime rating of 83 from the American Conservative Union.

Compare that to the two GOP Senators from Maine who are roundly criticized for their votes and accused of being RINO's - their ratings are both in the high 40's.

While this year's mid-term elections are tilted in favor of the Republicans, this probably won't be the last loss for a GOP incumbent or a GOP candidate backed by the party establishment - and Democrats could lose a few that way too.

The message is pretty simple for this primary season - incumbents of both parties could be in trouble.

So who might go down to defeat along with Bennett?

The next date to watch is May 18, when there are primaries in Arkansas and Kentucky, along with a special election for a House seat in Pennsylvania.

In Arkansas, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) faces a spirited challenge from the more liberal Lt. Governor of Arkansas.

In Kentucky, the establishment candidate for Senate, Secretary of State Trey Grayson faces a big time challenge from Rand Paul (son of Rep. Ron Paul), who has a lot of Tea Party support.

The first incumbent to be booted out of the Congress in 2010 was a Republican, as Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) couldn't even get enough support at a state party convention to get on the primary ballot, as conservatives and Tea Partiers chalked up their first victory this election year. What ...