Incumbent Republicans In Trouble In Their Own Party

Incumbent Republicans who think their seats are safe should be very worried about this turn of events in Georgia (from Bob Novak):

The biggest political upset so far of this election cycle reflected rank-and-file Republican disgust with the party establishment when former State Sen. Jim Whitehead was defeated Tuesday as the anointed successor to the late Rep. Charles Norwood in a heavily Republican northeastern Georgia district that includes Athens and suburban Augusta.

Dr. Paul Broun, a little-known physician, outworked a complacent Whitehead to win the battle between two conservative Republicans. Broun's aggressive mail and telephone campaign attacked an overconfident Whitehead, who did not even respond. Whitehead had led Broun, 44 percent to 21 percent, in the first round of balloting.

Although the seat will remain in Republican hands, Whitehead's unexpected loss terrified those incumbent Republican House members who had thought themselves safe for re-election in 2008.

So-called "safe" Republican districts may not be all that safe for for the incumbents given the general mood of the GOP voters these days. There may be a serious "throw the bums out" effort next year to get some new blood into the ranks of the GOP in congress. And frankly, that may be a very good thing.