The Hiller Instinct: Incumbents Beware

The only big winner was the Tea Party.  

"I have a message from the Tea Party, a message that is loud and clear and does not mince words. We've come to take our government back,” said Rand Paul (R-KY).

Rand Paul is a political unknown who is the son of Ron Paul, a congressman and former presidential candidate.

Rand Paul's win in the Kentucky GOP primary was a defeat for establishment Republicans, who supported someone else.

But, in Arkansas, it was a Democrat who couldn't win.

Incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln was forced into a runoff, apparently hurt by her support for President Obama's health care plan.

In Pennsylvania, Democrats lost a veteran senator.

"I think it is vital that we keep this seat with the Democratic party,” said Arlen Specter (D-PA).

Specter, who was a Republican before he was a Democrat, went down despite some support from the President.

Winner Joe Sestak used the President's favorite word to explain his victory.

"It should come as no surprise that people want a change,” he said.

Yesterday’s elections didn't tell us how strong the Tea Party is or how weak Republicans and Democratic incumbents will be in November. But the results do say something's brewing.

I’m Andy Hiller, and that’s my instinct.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)