Incumbency
Jen recommended a post that Tony Pierce wrote called "How to Vote." In the post, Tony had some interesting things to say about incumbents. Unfortunately I can't access this wisdom right now because of web issues, but let me assure you it was very wise.

In my view, incumbents don't automatically get re-elected. At the end of the incumbent's term, the voter has to evaluate whether the incumbent has earned another term. If performance is lacking, the incumbent should be replaced.

Ah, Tony's page finally loaded, so let me quote some of his thoughts on incumbency, and on other topics:

pretend you're the head coach and your team is in the fourth quarter of the superbowl. if you're happy with the quarterback leave him in. if youre not happy with the quarterback yank his loser ass off the field....

if you live in a big city, read what the commie free weekly says about an issue, then read what the megaconglomorate daily newspaper has to say about an issue. somewhere in the middle is the truth....

if you dont know who your representatives are, vote them out. theyre not representing you.

similarily it never hurts to vote against the judges.

and it never hurts to vote against the DA.

give people in public office a scare.

make them beg for their cush jobs. make them get on their knees for you. they work for us, dont ever let them forget that.