Monday, November 6th 2006
Local Politics Become National: Pombo in the 11th
Often local congressional elections are just that; referenda on local issues and the candidate who represents local interests. This year some races that were meant to be local have taken on national attention and importance; the FlashReport has some good commentary. Take for example the fight for the eleventh congressional district. The incumbent Richard Pombo would be expected to have little trouble winning reelection against Jerry McNerney. While there were allegations Pombo was tied to Jack Abramoff, local newspapers have cleared him of wrongdoing.
The national attention has brought national figures in to stump for both candidates. In this picture (courtesy of Josiah Prendergast) from last week a few members of the Berkeley College Republicans got to hear from Laura Bush at a rally for Pombo.
For better or worse the fight for this seat has drifted away from local issues. As a targeted race, millions of dollars from places far away have been dumped into the campaigns. I worry in races like this the constituent’s interests are taking a back seat to national concerns. However, if this is what the voters chose that must be what they want.
So which is more important, a good representative of your district or a party member who will put your party in the majority of the House? The majority party controls the chairmanship of all it’s committees, but the constituent oriented person makes local issues a concern.
If anyone has any thoughts or reasons why Pombo or McNerney would be better for the eleventh district or the country in general, I would like to hear them.
If you need one more reason to vote for Republicans for the House ask yourself,
Do I want her as speaker?
I don’t.
Pombo was drumming up support for the “130″ freeway, which I think is a terrific idea. It may yet become the first turnpike in California, which is unpleasant, but anything is better than nothing.
Comment by Pete Zaitcev — 11/7/2006 @ 12:05 am
I sure do what her as my speaker. Better than a Speaker who’s “staff” does what it can to cover up over-friendly Congressman and their actions.
Comment by Archangel — 11/7/2006 @ 11:57 am
And the Modesto Bee states (how’s that for local): “Pombo has embraced potentially disastrous environmental policies; suggested selling off national parks; tried to engineer giveaways of natural resources, and embraced drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and off both coasts.”
“While Pombo has been effective in a few high-profile issues — such as helping to broker a settlement on re-watering the San Joaquin River — he has worked even harder for a host of special interests. He is at the diseased heart of the quid-pro-quo process that defines Washington politics today. To send him back to the Capitol endorses a system we can no longer tolerate.”
The Mod Bee endorsed McNerney, obviously.
Comment by Archangel — 11/7/2006 @ 12:01 pm
*want her as my speaker, that is…
Comment by Archangel — 11/7/2006 @ 12:01 pm
Well Lordy, looks Speaker Pelosi it is. Ooh, it sounds so nice.
Comment by Archangel — 11/7/2006 @ 10:47 pm
Results Here!
Comment by Alex Marlow — 11/8/2006 @ 2:09 am
ALL BOW TO SPEAKER PELOSI AND THE EMPTY PLACE WHERE RUMMY USED TO SIT HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. It’s a good day.
Comment by BallzDeep — 11/8/2006 @ 1:19 pm
Oh yeah, no results there. Sorry.
Comment by Alex Marlow — 11/9/2006 @ 12:05 am