Vote for the person that most shares your values, then cross your fingers. elwestb is wrong! it can be worse.... a lot worse. You bring up a good point, the ones being voted in are much more important than the ones voted out. I shutter to think at what this sorry assed economy would look like if the other guy had been elected in 08. As far as Congress is concerned, a newby will learn the ropes, and learn to make deals very quickly. His/her first priority is to procure federal dollars for their district, everything else is secondary. If they fail at JOB 1, they will out on their arse in two years. A good rule of thumb.... If a candidate starts off by saying..."I'm NOT a politician"..... He is already lying to you from the very start! Anyone asking for Vote IS a politician.