The Angry Left Loses Again

Opinion Journal ^ | 6-12-06 | JAMES TARANTO

[veronica]

It won't be official until June, but Democrat Francine Busby--championed by MoveOn.org, Daily Kos, et al.--appears headed for defeat in her bid for California's 50th Congressional District, left vacant by the resignation of Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Although Busby finished first in yesterday's special election, she failed to break 50%, which means she will face a runoff against the second-place finisher. If current results hold, that will be former congressman Brian Bilbray, who has 15.15% of the vote.

Busby won 43.92% of the vote as of the latest tally, but she was one of only two Democrats on the ballot (the other got just 1.32%). Fourteen Republicans divided up a majority of the vote, and it seems highly unlikely that Busby will be able to manage a runoff majority in this GOP district. Jay Cost of RealClearPolitics.com has analysis:

The Democrats had everything going for them in this election. They had a corrupt felon-incumbent, they had low turnout, they had a well-financed challenger, and they had a divided Republican field. They had a district that has, in the last 10 years, skewed Republican less and less. And they only managed to get about 8% more of the vote when they needed 14% more. In 2004, Busby pulled in 36%. This time around she won 43.9%.

[veronica]

Cry Kos cry!

[Pukin Dog]

Nice to finally see a report today from someone reporting the truth. The Democrats lost, and my vote was one of them against Busby.

[truth_seeker]

"Fourteen Republicans divided up a majority of the vote..."

More evidence of the pure genius at work, in the Republican Party's various branches' leadership.

Not to mention the ten or so swelled up egos that KNOW they have no chance.

[Buck W.]

Is Bilbray a Republican?

[oblomov]

Thank goodness for Diebold. (/sarc)

[adorno]

It won't be official until June, but Democrat Francine Busby--championed by MoveOn.org, Daily Kos, et al.--appears headed for defeat in her bid for California's 50th Congressional District,

/* START demo talking point*/
Yeah, but the polls still show that the American people prefer the democrats to be running things in Washington. /*END demo talking point */

[.cnI redruM]

This should play out exactly like the Louisiana election where a GOP candidate (I think her name was Terrel) failed to crack 50% against a bunch of Dems. Later that year Mary Landrieu got 52% and the rest is history. I'm sure Bilbray will accomplish the same.

[Jack Ian]

Buck yes Bilbray is a Republican who was elected to Congress in 1994 and lost in 2000 due to the DEM's California redistricting.

[jmaroneps37]

Again the rat eats dirt. Scandals will get you just so far and no further. San Diego is NOT going to elect a moveon candidate PERIOD.