The Conversation: Primary Politics

May 18, 2010— -- Establishment candidates are fighting an uphill battle today as voters head to the polls in what has been dubbed a Mini Super Tuesday.

The anti-incumbent mood is in the air as primaries unfold in Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Kentucky. There's a good chance that voters could kick some veteran Senate Democrats, backed by the Obama administration, out of office.

In Arkansas, moderate Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln is battling Lt. Gov Bill Halter for her party's nomination. Halter has the support of unions and liberal activists, while Lincoln is backed by the party establishment and the administration.

In Pennsylvania, longtime Sen. Arlen Specter may lose to Rep. Joe Sestak in the Democratic primary. Sestak's Netroots-backed campaign has seized on anti-Washington frustration.

And the anti-D.C. fever can be found in Republican primaries, too. In Kentucky's Senate primary, Tea Party-backed Rand Paul is poised to defeat Trey Grayson, who was hand-picked by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

In today's Conversation, ABC's John Berman talks with Politico reporter Alexander Burns about this crucial day of voting. Could Tuesday be a bellwether for November's midterm elections? Plus, who's having the worst day today in politics?

All that and more on primary politics in today's Conversation.