You Have to Make Change Happen
In the 50th Congressional District of California, voters will get the chance to decide on their new representative in Congress in April (or June, if no candidate wins a 50%+1 majority). In essence, the question even simpler: have California
In an article today, the Los Angeles Times handicaps the race and casts it as as battle for the soul of America.
"The downfall of former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham in a bribery scandal has cleared the way for a surprisingly competitive race for his San Diego County congressional seat, a contest that will test the strength of Democratic efforts to regain control of Congress.
In a poor political climate for the GOP, analysts say, a suburban coastal district of California — even one that leans as Republican as Cunningham's — is just the kind that could prove the leading edge of a potential national tide against the party."
The question that the Times lays out is simple: can an ethical and honest Democrat. such as Francine Busby, receive a majority of votes over a field of long term Republican functionaries in a district gerrymandered to insure a Republican majority. In essence, the question even more simple: have California votes been sold out by their legislature to the extent that no challenger can win against the party guarenteed a "safe seat"?
It is a critical question, because if a challenger can't win in CA-50, then Californians and Americans may be doomed to face years of Republican mismanagement of our Federal government.
"If Mars is aligned with the moon just right, yes, a Democrat, on paper, could win this seat," said Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, a nonpartisan election guide. But, he added, "Everything would have to go right for Busby, and everything would have to go wrong for the Republican."
Francine Busby is running against a field of Republicans who make George Bush and Randy "Duke" Cunningham look like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. This crew of retreads and former losers will be winnowed down to a single challenger in the April primary. Democrats have the opportunity to push Busby over the top in April if they can muster a 50% plus one vote majority. Failing that, a run-off between Busby and the top Republican will take place in June.
There is a lot more than the 50th District at stake for Democrats. The Republican extremists running for this seat will make the war in Iraq, immigration and their fascist version of patriotism key issues in the election. Busby will run on a solid Democratic platform that includes a proposal to clean up some of Congress' ethics problems with new transparency regarding earmarking and special favors from government contractors and lobbyists.
"Busby, however, has made ethics her main campaign theme, vowing to restore "honesty and integrity" to Congress. Surrounded by guests around a crackling fireplace at a recent house party in Rancho Santa Fe, she joked about the Duke-Stir, the yacht supplied to Cunningham by a Pentagon vendor. Once the laughs faded, she said the U.S. Capitol "has had a 'for sale' sign out in front of it for way too long, and I'm running for Congress to take that 'for sale' sign down."
"Her approach will offer Democrats an early test of their national strategy of attacking what they call a Republican culture of corruption. Across the country, Democrats are spotlighting the Cunningham bribes and the indictments of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff."
If Busby (and the Democratic Party) is to prevail, money and effort on the ground will be necessary. This is a critical test of the future of the Democratic Party and American democracy. We can't afford to fail.
In an article today, the Los Angeles Times handicaps the race and casts it as as battle for the soul of America.
"The downfall of former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham in a bribery scandal has cleared the way for a surprisingly competitive race for his San Diego County congressional seat, a contest that will test the strength of Democratic efforts to regain control of Congress.
In a poor political climate for the GOP, analysts say, a suburban coastal district of California — even one that leans as Republican as Cunningham's — is just the kind that could prove the leading edge of a potential national tide against the party."
The question that the Times lays out is simple: can an ethical and honest Democrat. such as Francine Busby, receive a majority of votes over a field of long term Republican functionaries in a district gerrymandered to insure a Republican majority. In essence, the question even more simple: have California votes been sold out by their legislature to the extent that no challenger can win against the party guarenteed a "safe seat"?
It is a critical question, because if a challenger can't win in CA-50, then Californians and Americans may be doomed to face years of Republican mismanagement of our Federal government.
"If Mars is aligned with the moon just right, yes, a Democrat, on paper, could win this seat," said Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, a nonpartisan election guide. But, he added, "Everything would have to go right for Busby, and everything would have to go wrong for the Republican."
Francine Busby is running against a field of Republicans who make George Bush and Randy "Duke" Cunningham look like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. This crew of retreads and former losers will be winnowed down to a single challenger in the April primary. Democrats have the opportunity to push Busby over the top in April if they can muster a 50% plus one vote majority. Failing that, a run-off between Busby and the top Republican will take place in June.
There is a lot more than the 50th District at stake for Democrats. The Republican extremists running for this seat will make the war in Iraq, immigration and their fascist version of patriotism key issues in the election. Busby will run on a solid Democratic platform that includes a proposal to clean up some of Congress' ethics problems with new transparency regarding earmarking and special favors from government contractors and lobbyists.
"Busby, however, has made ethics her main campaign theme, vowing to restore "honesty and integrity" to Congress. Surrounded by guests around a crackling fireplace at a recent house party in Rancho Santa Fe, she joked about the Duke-Stir, the yacht supplied to Cunningham by a Pentagon vendor. Once the laughs faded, she said the U.S. Capitol "has had a 'for sale' sign out in front of it for way too long, and I'm running for Congress to take that 'for sale' sign down."
"Her approach will offer Democrats an early test of their national strategy of attacking what they call a Republican culture of corruption. Across the country, Democrats are spotlighting the Cunningham bribes and the indictments of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff."
If Busby (and the Democratic Party) is to prevail, money and effort on the ground will be necessary. This is a critical test of the future of the Democratic Party and American democracy. We can't afford to fail.
posted by RJB at 9:26 PM
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