Primary challenges would be good, but we would have to be prepared for the establishment Democrats to trash the challengers just like they did Ed Fallon, and a good case would have to be made that the challengers are not too extreme. I don't mean that the challengers should not be from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party, but that the public would have to be educated that progressive candidates are the ones who really make sense and act in the public interest. For the last 20-30 years the conservatives have created the impression that their agenda is in the public interest, so people ended up voting against their own interests. Wally Taylor In a message dated 4/1/2009 2:02:18 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Yes, I believe primary challengers are a very good way to hold incumbent Dems accountable to their constituents. Donna **************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp