Posted on 11/07/2012 7:31:47 PM PST by SmithL
Weve posted my story for tomorrows print editions on how Rep. Pete Starks defeat marks both the end of an era and, probably, the start of another Democrat-on-Democrat race for the 15th Congressional District in 2014. Heres a few final thoughts for which there wasnt room in that story, but which seem noteworthy nonetheless.
This was a contest for which our editors wanted election-night photographs, but Starks campaign refused to tell us Monday and Tuesday where he would be Tuesday night; I still dont know where he watched the returns.
I take this as a sign that his campaign staff knew there was a pretty good chance he would lose. Id bet their final internal polling showed a tight race, perhaps with Stark holding a small lead, but with many last-minute undecided voters likely to break against the incumbent. Apparently they did.
San Jose State University political scientist Larry Gerston said Starks quirky political behavior and a dramatically changed district fueled his downfall at least as much as the top-two primary system. That is, Starks loss necessarily doesnt mark a sea change in how future campaigns will be run, and other Bay Area House Democrats need not look over their shoulders.
This was the exception to the rule I dont know any other elected official in Congress who had the reputation Stark had, Gerston said. Its a shame. Hes a man who at one time had an impeccable reputation, a liberal icon. This is more a story of his time had come.
(Excerpt) Read more at ibabuzz.com ...
Good riddance to Pete Stark, a real sewer turd.
A glad goodbye to Fortney “Pete” Stark. His parents must not have liked him.
This item made my day.
Finally something to smile about!
Yep...
Interesting that it was dem against dem ... California is nuts
Yes. We finally got rid of this nutcase. Unfortunately, a possibly even bigger nutcase, Alan Grayson, is back in office. Florida looks so wonderful being represented by this guy, along with another crazy NY transplant, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. Oh, and let’s not forget the impeached judge, now congressman, Alcee Hastings. Way to go Sunshine State.
Well - as you will notice by my moniker here - I live(d) in his district. In fact - actually saw him at a coffee shop 2 weeks ago. The conservative crowd out on the porch of the shop didn’t even notice him, I had to point him out! Any way, because of redistricting, they moved the line so I now have Mike Honda as my rep so I didn’t get to vote him out....How sad ;-)
Effective 2012, California curiously adopted the Louisiana "Jungle Primary" system -- wherein the candidates aren't segregated by party in the primary elections and the Top Two vote-getters advance to the general election.
In California, the Top Two will, more than likely, both be from the Democrat Party. So, you're going to see a lot more outcomes like this.
Since I have lived in his district I have never voted for this crazy man but I must say I am happy , happy , happy we will not be in office. This man over the years has offended our military, offended his own voters and lets face it not many of the voters in his district were Republicans he offended even the democrat’s he was rude, and just plainly a grumpy old man. Glad he is gone.
Yes I will agree CA is nuts I have lived here all my life and when I can leave this nut crazed state I will hopefully I will not have a fence trying to keep me in .........
Thank goodness the Democrat won instead. Wait, what? Thanks SmithL.
Although the coastal cities control the state's politics, the majority of California's counties are actually "red." In these counties, the contestants might all be Republicans.
This is a good start. Now if we could just get rid of the rest of the @#$%^ Socialists who are corrupting our system, we’d be in good shape.
This is the only good news I have heard in this election.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Pete Stark Blows Up Over National Debt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjbPZAMked0
THE BORDERS ARE QUITE SECURE. Congressman Pete Stark’s Town hall meeting in Fremont CA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qVpMwqv7QM
Besides being certifiably crazy, Stark, at one period in his career, was a very active supporter of assorted communist fronts and causes, esp. in the 1970’s. They were mainly fronts of the Communist Party USA and the Socialist Workers Party.
He also condemned the liberation of Grenada in 1983, from combined Cuban and Grenadian Marxists as “insane” (The Revolution Lobby”, Brownfeld and Waller, CIS, 1985).
What makes this all the more puzzling was the fact that Stark was a millionaire.
Now he’s going to be unemployed, and still crazy as a bedbug.
Why do you demean sewer turds?
How did Mike Honda get all the way out there? Where I live used to be Mike Honda, but it’s now Eshoo. Never thought I’d miss Honda.
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