Power Women: Hot; Angry Left: Not So Much

Yesterday was supposed to spell the end for incumbent Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas had opposed Obama’s health care reform, and voted against pro-labour union legislation. She was expected to be turfed by Democratic primary voters in a run-off yesterday after labour unions spent millions to defeat her. But she hung in — along with numerous high-profile female Republican candidates who triumphed in primary elections yesterday.

Politico sees Lincoln’s survival as a victory for centrism:

One way to appreciate the importance of Lincoln’s victory is to imagine the reaction if the result — as many expected — had gone the other way. It would have sent an unmistakable message to moderates of Lincoln’s stripe in the South and across the country about the perils of Clinton-style centrism in an age of anger.

Another notable outcome of yesterday’s voting: The American South is on track to have two Republican governors of Indian descent: Bobby Jindal in Louisiana and Nikki Haley, who now has a good chance in South Carolina. So much for the good ol’ boys. It’s a notable national development too, considering that governorships are the prime presidential candidate pool.

And speaking of the presidency: Is it now more likely that the first female American president will be a Republican?