The article focuses on the "horse race" aspect of politics, namely the loss of currency Republicans are experiencing, illustrated by this house seat won by Travis Childers in a Southern conservative district. It is unfortunate that there is no issue analysis of what is important to the electorate, only general statements of pessimism "over the direction the country is going", "Bush's failed policies have hurt every community in America", and against the "special interest driven agenda of Republicans".

i would like to know more about the 'conservatism' of childers, with some examples of what he said during the campaigns. it may be that this fall the party labels will have less meaning than they have had for a couple decades now. i'd also like to know what those who voted for him in mississippi have to say about their reasons. this has factual information with the republicans' responses primary, without analysis