Hey, Eric Cantor...

...the Tom Toles cartoon of the day is for you.

According to John Avlon (my emphasis):

Winston Churchill once said “an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile – hoping it will eat him last.”

Last night, Eric Cantor was eaten by the Tea Party. Chomp. Chomp.

And for Republicans, it is perhaps the most pointed reminder of the dangerous game they’ve been playing by stoking the fires of furious conservative populism. Golem ultimately turns on its creator. 

From Reuters:

A seven-term congressman with ties to the financial industry, Cantor had spent more than $5 million to head off the challenge from David Brat, a political newcomer who teaches at Randolph-Macon College.

Brat spent only about $122,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and was not seen in the media or national Republican circles as a danger to Cantor.

And what's up with this Randolph-Macon College? According to the Washington Post, in the general election:

Brat will face Jack Trammell, also an instructor at Randolph-Macon. 

But maybe we shouldn't feel too sorry for Eric Cantor. According to Ana Marie Cox:

When he leaves the House, Cantor will take much of his influence with him – probably straight to K Street, where he arguably can hold more sway over national policy as a lobbyist than he ever could as a representative from Virginia.

Not to mention make a pile of dough.  

Was the outcome a surprise? Jonathan Chait writes:

Cantor’s internal polling had him leading the race by 34 points.