I've often pondered why this hasn't happened. He's been in office for as long as I can remember. It's puzzling how our county voted for Allen over Webb by 60% to 40%, probably Allen's highest vote in the state by percentage, yet Boucher got about that same percentage, and he's a dem. The results were similar for Gore and Kerry as well, Gore/Kerry getting only 30-35% while Boucher being a dem gets 60-65% of the vote in the same elections. Apparently the locals here believe Boucher is separate from the national dem liberals. I've also noticed Boucher gets a higher ACU rating on election years.
What's even more odd is how liberal Rep Boucher is. He's no true boll weevil or 'conservative Democrat', he's a snake in the grass ...
not a raving moonbat, but definitely liberal. Got and A from NRA, but 100% NARAL, low ratings from taxpayers, overall much more liberal than conservative:
2005 According to the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score's calculations, in 2005, Representative Boucher voted more liberal on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 64 percent of the Representatives.
2005 According to the National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy's calculations, in 2005, Representative Boucher voted more liberal on social policy issues than 61 percent of the Representatives.
2005 According to the National Journal - Composite Conservative Score's calculations, in 2005, Representative Boucher voted more conservative on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 36 percent of the Representatives.
2005 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 90 percent in 2005.
2005 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 92 percent in 2005.
2005 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the National Education Association 100 percent in 2005.
Conservative ratings:
2005 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the Citizens Against Government Waste 15 percent in 2005.
2005 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 25 percent in 2005.
2006 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 0 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the Concerned Women for America 42 percent in 2005-2006.
2005 Representative Boucher supported the interests of the Eagle Forum 33 percent in 2005.
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PS. The ratings from Chet Edwards of TX-17 are similar.
The MO looks similar. Have a few conservative votes on guns, a few throwaway votes on immigration, and vote for the local issues (eg farm economy); but then support the unions 100%, the secular social issues caucus as much as politically palatable, and vote against whatever tax reductions you can get away with without being tagged 'tax and spend'. oh, and use deficit hawkishness as a cover for supporting higher taxes ("I'm concerned about the deficit so we cant afford these giveaways ... and btw, vote for me because I bring home the bacon.")
These snakes in the grass can be destroyed by exposing their 2 weakest points - social issues hypocrisy and tax issues.
Actually 3 now: Their connection and support of the liberal Congressional leadership ties them.
They can only be defeated if the opponent nationalizes the campaign in a way that ties them to the liberal leadership.
It will be easier for a challenger in these districts to run against "Liberal Democrat Nancy Pelosi's sidekick" than to run against mr entrenched local favorite.