Family Feud

Both parties have reasons for concern when it comes to primary fights this cycle, and this week's events have magnified their challenges.

-- For Dems, Reps. Larry Kissell (D-NC 08) and Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL 24) may have thought voting "no" on the health care bill would've helped their General Election chances, but instead they've opened themselves up to intra-party contests. Local party chairs expect Kissell to get a challenge, and he can ill afford that. He barely raises enough cash for a competitive general, let alone a primary. And Kosmas will now have to fight a wealthy real estate investor, and will not be able to sit on the sidelines for what's sure to be a brutal GOP fight.

-- Action in GOP primaries has also ramped up this week, but not against incumbents. Iraq vet Justin Bernier (R) promises he's not leaving the CT-05 contest, even after the CT GOP chair expressed his preference for state Sen. Sam Caligiuri (R) to run. Bernier is on firm ground, and has even banked more than Caligiuri has for his SEN bid, so he's not going anywhere right now. And in NH-02, the 11/18 DC fundraiser (featuring the GOP leadership) for ex-Rep. Charlie Bass (R) should tell you about the party's preference there. Both Bernier and '08 NH-02 nominee Jennifer Horn (R) have invoked the party's flawed selection in NY-23 as reasons they're both sticking around. The GOP hoped to close the chaper on that ugly race. Looks like it won't get the chance.