Primary Impetus, The Morning After

The big news from yesterday's primaries in Missouri, Michigan and Kansas are that there's not really anything new.

U.S. Senate races in Kansas and Missouri and a ballot measure seen as a referendum on President Obama's health care reform highlighted Tuesday's primary elections.

Missouri's Proposition C allowed Missouri voters to decide if residents should be allowed to opt out of mandatory health insurance - a key part of the administration's health care plan.

The measure succeeded handily, winning by a three to one margin to allow residents to opt out.

Ahead of the vote, Mason-Dixon pollster Brad Coker told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he expected the proposition to pass because of an anticipated heavier Republican turnout.

But he also expects a court challenge.

Some states have already passed similar legislation, but this was the first test at the ballot box.

OK Missouri, congrats:  wingers don't want the mandate.  Tell you what: I bet if you had a referendum on opting out of paying Social Security taxes, it would win big too.  It doesn't mean you can do it.  It's symbolic more than anything.

Meanwhile in Kansas everything proceeded as expected as Jerry Moran edged out Tea Party candidate Todd Tiahrt for the GOP Senate primary and Michigan saw GOP Rep. John Hoekstra lose his bid for Governor, but it also saw Dem Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick lose her primary bid as well as the mother of jailed former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was unable to stave off multiple challengers.

Still an interesting night in politics.