free hit counter code One SoCal Green: War-Democrats In Congress May Fall With Unpopular Bush Policies

Friday, March 17, 2006

War-Democrats In Congress May Fall With Unpopular Bush Policies

The Bush administration’s poll numbers are sinking, a majority of Americans now oppose the Republican lead war, and every day it seems that another Congressional incumbent is in trouble with constituents.

Another Democrat incumbent that is.

In southern California long-time Democrat incumbents Jane Harmon, Howard Berman, and Adam Schiff are being criticized as “Bush Democrats” or "War Democrats" and worse, based on their supportive voting records and luke-warm criticisms of the administration.

Each is facing a Democrat challenger in the primary based largely upon a lack of opposition to the Iraq war and the President’s warrantless wiretapping – issues which current poll numbers suggest may resonate with voters and transcend traditional party lines.

Although each of the incumbents has a substantial war chest already and the challengers do not, the issues are sufficiently emotional that mere money may not be able to sway many disappointed voters to reward the wayward incumbents with another term.

The novelty of so many serious Democratic challengers has garnered more than a little press; some further digging into the incumbents’ voting and contribution records should generate enough information to keep the challengers on the front page.

All three elements taken together suggest that the incumbents are at serious risk of losing their seats – not to the Republican opposition, but to angry elements in their own party.

But even if the incumbents can beat down their Democrat challengers by dint of their vastly greater financial resources, viable challengers will still remain in November.

The Green Party is fielding very strong candidates in many races, including two of the three seats held by the incumbents noted. And when the Democrat challengers are eliminated in the primary by incumbent money, there will be an awful lot of voters unwilling to vote for the remaining right-wing Democrat incumbent -- and who may well turn to a well known Green candidate.

There are at least a few conservatives, too, who disdain the illegal conduct of the Bush administration and are embarrassed by the Republican Party’s capture by extremist elements, who may well find the Green candidate an acceptable alternative. (There are more than a few former-Republicans in the Green party.)


Byron DeLear (G) is running in Berman’s 28th Congressional district; he has begun the campaign for November with a burst of energy that, if sustained, could see a significant challenge to the otherwise long-entrenched Democrat. Recent news coverage bemoaned the fact that Berman, considered the most hawkish of the three, had the weakest Democratic challenger – leaving DeLear the sole option for disgruntled Dems and repulsed Republicans.

Bill Paparian (G) is running in Schiff’s 29th Congressional district; a former Mayor of Pasadena, Paparian is well known to locals, as well as the large Armenian communities in and around Pasadena and Glendale. Because of his track record, Paparian is likely to have significant financial help from the community, and in the general election will be the only other known candidate – and the only serious peace candidate – in the race.

There are a total of nine Democrats being challenged from within their own party in districts all or partially within Los Angeles County. None of the rest of the challengers has emerged as particularly strong.

Greens are running in only two of those races in November, leaving voters with no real choices if the incumbents win in the primary in the remaining districts.

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