{Editorial: The case to replace Pete Stark} Eric Swalwell recommended for House

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/3/12 | Editor

[SmithL]

Rep. Pete Stark, D-Fremont, should have retired by now. His performance in this campaign has produced cringe-worthy moments that show a mean-spiritedness and recklessness with the facts - and a detachment from one of the region's critical issues - that suggest it is time for change.

The Democratic establishment would prefer to let the 80-year-old Stark leave on his own schedule. That is the way things work in Washington - and helps explain why Washington is not working for us. Members of Congress with records as dismal as Stark's are protected by a system of money and party discipline that makes them almost impervious to challenge.

Stark himself boldly pierced the status quo's protective bubble in 1972 when he defeated 81-year-old Rep. George P. Miller, a fellow Democrat who had held the seat since 1945. Stark, a 40-year-old banker, challenged Miller on both his disconnect with the issues of the day (namely, the Vietnam War) and the congressman's sense of entitlement to the office. The value of youth and fresh ideas was a big theme in Stark's first campaign.

Today the maverick Democrat is Eric Swalwell, a 31-year-old Alameda County prosecutor and Dublin councilman who has dared to interrupt Stark's extended fade from influence and effectiveness, as well as the party kingmakers' presumed prerogative to anoint a successor.

"My position has always been that the House of Representatives does not take reservations," Swalwell explained. "It's walk-in only."

He's right. This is how democracies are supposed to work.

[DIRTYSECRET]

What does that tell you about the voters in his district?

[DIRTYSECRET]

What does that tell you about the voters in his district?

[izzatzo]

Stark is one of the most arrogant, despicable ‘rat pieces of excrement in House. He does need to be retired even if by another ‘rat—too bad there’s not a chance for a Conservative in that district.

[fremont_steve]

Uhm - watch it - there are SOME conservatives here. We are out-numbered 3:1! You do realise that we also have Berkeley and Oakland in the same county....having Stark is just icing on the liberal idiot cake.

[JLS]

Conservatives should want largely Dim districts represented by the likes of Pete Starks, Corrine Brown and Jim Moran. They probably gain the GOP a number of extra seats each election.

[dadfly]

which is why some of us in the belly of the liberal beast or as i like to call it "washington west", have been working against both parties for a true conservative (who has managed to qualify as a "republican" candidate despite the fact that he has no support from the ca republican party) for two election cycles. we will continue to stick it to the bay area rinos and marxists with our candidate against the man we call "stark raving." if your interested, check out chris pareja online.

[TChad]

Dem congressman for Solyndra’s district is so clueless he thinks Solyndra makes cars

Chronicle: You got Silicon Valley in your district, or a slice of it.

Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA): Do I?

Chronicle: Solyndra’s down by your way, as a matter of fact. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA): Yes.

Chronicle: What specifically are you going to do in the next term to work with the tech sector?

Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA): I wish I had big enough expense allowance to get one of those new “S’s” that Solyndra’s going to make down there, the electric car. My 10 year old is after me. He no longer wants a Porsche. He wants dad to have an “S” sedan. They sound wild. I guess they run $60,000-$90,000.”