Cong. OH-2nd & OH-13th: An Angry Electorate Likes Feisty Candidates

How to explain the continuing popularity of Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) in the 2nd Congressional District and shopping mall heiress Capri Cafaro (D-Sheffield Lake) in the 13th Congressional District? The former has been caught lying about her education and endorsements, the latter has been threatening to sue her rivals for impugning her characterbased on her grant of immunity to testify in an old case, yet each is in or near the lead in her primary race. My theory is that an angry electorate, upset about the economy and the looming threat of nukes in Iran, and generally pissed off at our corrupt and ineffective state and national administrations, would rather support an ornery, poke-'em-in-the-eye candidate than an accomplished, respectable alternative (such as former Congressmen Bob McEwen in the 2nd District or Tom Sawyer in the 13th District).

For a more detailed explication of this idea, see my post today on the national blog American Street, where I will be guest blogging on Fridays henceforth. Also be sure to check there on Mondays to read posts by Cindy Zawadzki of HeightsMom and Jill Miller Zimon of Writes Like She Talks.