Parties eye Tuesday elections for clues

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Elections Tuesday in four states could send politicians in Washington a clear signal just how angry voters are, analysts and pollsters say.

Primary elections in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arkansas and Oregon, and a special election in Pennsylvania, will be closely watched by both parties for a measure of how congressional elections will shape up in November, the Washington Post said Sunday.

A key race for Democrats is in Pennsylvania where former Republican Arlen Specter, who switched to the Democrat's side last year, is facing a tough primary fight against Rep. Joe Sestak. Specter, a five term senator, switched parties to avoid a re-election battle in the GOP primary, only to find himself trailing in the polls in the Democratic race.

In the southwest corner of the state there's a special election for the House seat made vacant by the death of Democratic Rep. John P. Murtha, pitting Murtha staffer Mark Critz against Republican businessman Tim Burns. Both sides have spent about $2 million each on the contest, with conservative organizations also running ads.

Republicans face their own challenge in Kentucky where the seat of retiring Sen. Jim Bunning is up for grabs. Tea Party conservatives are backing Rand Paul, son of Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, against Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who enjoys the backing of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Tea Party star attraction Sarah Palin is backing Paul.

Pollsters from both parties say Tuesday's races will reflect the anger voters have at Washington, both the White House and Congress.

The Post quoted former George W. Bush adviser Matthew Dowd as saying: "The results across the board show the public with no trust in Washington, D.C., and a feeling Washington, D.C., has no ability to do anything well. The country thinks D.C. is totally dysfunctional and is sick and tired of it."