Last night there were a number of primary and special elections around the country, and the results were a resounding victory for progressive Democrats. Joe Sestak defeated Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania in the Senate primary. Bill Halter kept Blanche Lincoln under 50% in the Arkansas Senate primary, forcing a run-off that he has a good chance of winning. Jack Conway won the Kentucky Democratic Senate primary, putting Democrats in the best position in that state. And finally, Mark Critz won the Pennsylvania 12th District Special Election, by a margin substantial enough that Republicans are running scared. There is hope for this country yet, but not if you’re rooting for an ineffectual, obstructionist incumbent. So, while there does still need to be more enthusiasm among progressive laypeople, I feel pretty good about the way things are going after last night.