If Barack Obama believes he can unite left and right to forge a new path ahead for America, he ought to take another look at the Maryland primary results. No incumbent Maryland congressman had lost a primary since 1992. On Tuesday two did. Both lost to more-extreme candidates on the left and the right.

Wayne Gilchrest became the latest in a long line of moderate Republicans to bite the dust, losing to Andy Harris, whose campaign touted his pro-gun stance and opposition to abortion and gay marriage. On the Democratic side, Albert Wynn lost to Donna Edwards, who blasted him for his support for bankruptcy reform and vote to give President Bush authority to invade Iraq. The forces of harmony are not prevailing in the 4th and 1st districts.