Posted on 01/03/2005 7:55:05 AM PST by SmithL
The sudden New Year's death of Rep. Robert Matsui could touch off a multicandidate Democratic scramble to succeed the potpular congressman in a special election in March.
Some think that Doris Matsui, the congressman's politically connected widow who has been working as a lobbyist since leaving the Clinton White House, could be the one candidate who would not face a free-for-all should she run for the seat.
Arden Fair Mall Calls already are pouring into the Matsui home urging her to seek her husband's seat in the heavily Democratic 5th Congressional District, which includes all of Sacramento.
"As people are talking in the community, the first reaction is shock and sadness," said a source close to the family Sunday. "The second is that Doris needs to continue his legacy."
But longtime Matsui aide Jim Bonham shrugged off such questions, saying Doris Matsui and her family are in deep mourning and nothing else matters now.
Congressional openings are rare, and in California any opportunity for a politically safe district such as Matsui's is a special plum. Because of term limits in the state Legislature, there are likely to be many Democrats who at least give passing consideration to the race.
"The Democratic phone lines must be buzzing this morning,"
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Maybe they could have another Wellstonepalloozza...
Sound of a distant bell ringing...
Didn't Doris Matsui work in the Commerce Dept under Ron Brown? Or was she the White House liaison with the Commerce Dept? And didn't the victim in the Starbuck's murder work for her?
In other words, Ms. Matsui knows where a lot of bodies are buried. And the Democrat leadership will give her what she wants...
bt
More interesting would be his leadership post..It's got to go to a member of the Black Caucus..
What is an Arden Fair Mall Call?
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