The Woodward News

Opinion

August 3, 2010

Anti-incumbency

Johnny McMahan Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Everyone seems to believe in this big surge against incumbents in Congress on a national level.

But based on last Tuesday’s election, anti-incumbency fever hasn’t reached Oklahoma yet.

All of the Congressional incumbents on the ballot cruised in their primaries. Frank Lucas in District 3 didn’t have a primary opponent, though he will have one in the general election. In District 1, John Sullivan received 62 percent, In District 2 Dan Boren, the only Democrat in the delegation, received 75 percent and in District 4, Tom Cole received 77 percent. District 5 is an open seat vacated by Mary Fallin. In addition, Sen. Tom Coburn won his primary with 90 percent. It’s not likely any of the incumbents will lose in the fall either.

All of this basically gives credence to a simple theory. We Americans dislike Congress in general and especially think it’s time to “throw the bums out.”

Unless, of course, we’re talking about our own representatives. We like them. Think representatives and senators nationally are hoping Oklahoma is setting the trend nationally this year?

Johnny McMahan is managing editor of the Woodward News.

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