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Yesterday marked the last big Tuesday primary elections before November, with 7 states going to the polls. Republicans have been more enthusiastic about voting in this year’s primaries than Democrats. That was the finding of a Gallup Poll in August and it has been the reality during the 2010 primary season. A report by the Center for the Study of the American Electorate found that for the first time since the 1930s Republican voters have turned-out for primary elections in higher numbers than Democrats. It is estimated that nationwide just below 20% of eligible voters will cast a ballot in mid-term primary races this year, an improvement over the 2006 primaries, when only 17% of voters participated. Republicans have been galvanized to vote after losing the White House in 2008, and by the challenge to the GOP establishment coming from far-right candidates backed by Tea Partiers and Sarah Palin. Election results are in and Christine O’Donnell won the Republican nomination for Senate in Delaware. O’Donnell had the backing of Sarah Palin but earlier in the race her lack of experience and revelations about personal financial problems had the GOP saying O’Donnell, “Couldn’t be elected dog catcher”. In New York Carl Paladino beat former Congressman Rick Lazio to run in the Republican ticket for Governor against Incumbent Andrew Cuomo. In August dozens of emails forwarded to friends by Paladino were leaked to the media. They contained hardcore pornographic images and racist images of President Barack Obama and Black people. One picture made it look as though the President and First Lady were waking down a red carpet dressed as a pimp and prostitute. In New Hampshire the race is still too close to call for GOP candidates in the Senate primary. Incumbent Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is running against Tea Party backed Ovide Lamontagne. Sarah Palin surprised her base when she endorsed Ayotte over Lamontagne.

GUEST: John Nichols, political writer for the Nation, co-founder of Free Press

Read John Nichols’ latest piece here: http://www.thenation.com/blog/154731/can-grand-old-tea-party-win-november