Democrats Remain Loyal to Their President, Party

We are beginning to analyze the results of the primary election on Tuesday. Several principles are emerging as of this writing, Nationally, the lessons of this election are unclear. Many incumbents survived, but in other races anti-incumbent sentiments led to victory for challengers over their incumbent opponents. In my home state of Pennsylvania incumbents did very well. I predict that my incumbent Congressman, Democrat Paul Kanjorski will be re-elected in the general election in November.

Generally, the backlash against incumbents can be attributed to a number of factors. The primary problem is that incumbent politicians cannot find a way out of the Great Recession. The economy is in very rough shape and it is just about impossible to find a job. The jobs that are available are usually just part time with no benefits and people cannot live on these wages. Many people have simply given up on finding a job. Millions of Americans believe there economic future in this country is bleak. While Americans struggle to make ends meet, corporate executives continue to give themselves millions in bonuses. To add insult to injury, when American banks and corporations go bankrupt, the politicians bail them out with taxpayer money. The voters are very frustrated and are beginning to turn against incumbent politicians.

To fight this recession, President Obama has resorted to massive government spending to stimulate the economy. Much of this spending does not really develop jobs. Too much of the money is spent on expensive government programs, and is intended to keep failing state governments afloat. So the stimulus program has limited opportunities for working class people. Now Greece is in the news, and massive government spending has put that country on the brink of bankruptcy. Voters are beginning to fear that America will eventually wind up like Greece unless the deficit and government spending come under control.

There is a feeling of despair beginning to develop. Oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico was supposed to make a major contribution toward energy independence, keep American money inside the country and establish a better environment for economic development and the expansion of jobs in America. Instead, we wound up with one of the greatest environmental disasters in American History. Voters are beginning to think that incumbent politicians and industry cannot do anything right.

The political mood in Pennsylvania and in my area is fairly moderate considering the dire circumstances. Voter registration in my Congressional district is lopsided and the the vast majority of voters are registered Democrats. The majority of these Democrats still support President Obama and the Democratic Party.

Democratic Congressman Paul Kanjorski is up for re-election. Congressman Kanjorski has been in office since the eighties, has enormous power and influence in Washington and has brought a lot of government money back home to his district. Kanjorski won easily in the Democratic Primary, although he had two Democratic challengers. The issues that we just talked about come up during the primary campaign. The challengers argued that the money spend on the corporate bailouts and to support state governments around the country should have been invested on Main Street, to develop jobs right here in the Congressional District. Congressman Kanjorski supported the stimulus package and the bailouts. The Democratic voters, however, were not willing to give up on Congressman Kanjorski and his approach to the economic crisis.

In the General Election in November, Congressman Kanjorski is opposed by Republican Lou Barletta. Mayor Barletta of Hazelton Pennsylvania is known around the world for his stance against illegal immigration. Barletta is a traditional Republican and he supports limited government and limited taxes, and would stimulate the economy with tax cuts and various incentives for small business to expand and develop jobs.

All voters should choose wisely during this election as their economic future is at stake. I will vote for the candidate who I believe can do the most to end the Great Recession and put the American People back to work.

I believe Congressman Kanjorski will be re-elected in November. Mayor Barletta has challenged him twice before and lost and I believe the third challenge will produce the same result. The Democrats have the votes and they are not ready to give up on President Obama, Congressman Kanjorski, and the Democratic Party.

Sources: 1. Liz Sidoti, AP National Political Writer, Primary's lessons unclear, The Citizens' Voice newspaper in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, May 20, 2010.

2.Charles Schillinger, Despite big primary victory, Kanjorski faces significant challenge in November election, The Citizens' Voice newspaper, May 20, 2010.

3. Our Voice, Anti-incumbent? Not so in Pennsylvania, The Citizens' Voice, May 20, 2010.