no,

Kerry impoved to win over 59% of the vote here in 2004 and Obama jumped to like 66%. This has become a very liberal, northern California district. We'll probably get a much better congressman from this.

But I'm surprised a sitting Congresswoman, who holds a subcommittee, (Subcommittee on Strategic Forces).

And she's nota blue dog, she's a DLCer, Chairwoman of the New Democrats Coalition. Another odd bit. She's at the peak of her influence and power, why bail for a mid-level State Department gig?

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

---

by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Wed Mar 18, 2009 at 01:11:41 AM UTC

Tauscher

Wasn't she the one who actually complained when California Dems drew her a more liberal district in 2002?  Talk about a rep who has not adjusted well to a more favorable district.

---

by: ChadInFL @ Wed Mar 18, 2009 at 02:01:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I imagine

That's exactly why she's jumping ship. A lot of people seem to be out for her head.
That being said, though, I'm not sure she would have been terribly vulnerable to a major primary challenge. While her district is liberal enough that it would support a Rep much more economically liberally (and I sure hope we get one), it's among the wealthiest districts in the country. It may have been a hard sell to get them to throw out a Rep they like just because she's supports policies that are too favorable to the rich... like them. Although Al Wynn got thrown out of a fairly wealthy district for somewhat similar reasons as Tauscher would be challenged on, so who knows?

22, Democrat, AZ-01
Peace. Love. Gabby.

---

by: Nico @ Wed Mar 18, 2009 at 02:12:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

If California Democrats weren't so timid

they could probably make 5-6 districts currently held by Republicans into ones just like this.  

---

by: andgarden @ Wed Mar 18, 2009 at 03:21:06 AM UTC

Timidity has nothing to do with it

Selfish is a more accurate adjective.  As long as their own seats are safe, nothing else matters.

28, Unenrolled, MA-08

---

by: Marcus @ Wed Mar 18, 2009 at 15:31:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Isn't they did the same think NJ did

Incumbent gerrymanderying. That insstead of creating more district to elect more Democrats to Congress they just strghened the districts to perserve the status quo? Worst type of gerrymandering. If your to gerrymander district, elimate your opposition. That's pretty much what every other legislature does with their CD's.

---

by: bradley minoski @ Thu Mar 19, 2009 at 06:56:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]