Democrats looking for big upsets in 2008 Congressional races
Back in 2001, the Democratic and Republican leadership forged a bi-partisan gerrymander of the district lines for congress and both houses of the state legislature. Gerrymandering is the drawing of district lines in such a way that the districts become so heavily Democratic or Republican that winning the primary election is tantamount to winning in November, making the November general election meaningless in all but a small handful of districts.
The congressional line drawers particularly did such a skillful job that almost all incumbent members of congress who sought re-election since 2002 have won with majorities exceeding 60 percent of the votes cast.
But 2006 saw some chinks in the armor with Democrat Jerry McNerney defeating incumbent GOP Congressman Richard Pombo (CD11) and the near upset win by Democrat Charlie Brown over GOP Congressman John Doolittle (CD4).
McNerney is facing former GOP Assembly Member/BOE Member Dean Andal this year, in what is expected to be one of the hardest fought congressional races in the nation.
Schwarzenegger/Feinstein Water Bond is Worthy of Consideration
Water is the lifeblood of California and action needs to be taken to ensure we will have enough water to satisfy the needs of the people and to keep the economy humming. The water bond plan put forth by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Diane Feinstein yesterday is a good proposal worthy of consideration.
California has experienced drought-like conditions for a number of years. In addition, the nearly 50-year old state water infrastructure did not anticipate a population of 38-million people and more.
Improving the water project is one of the crucial improvements the state must undertake – and soon. Conservation is part of the plan but will not be enough to satisfy water needs.
Make no mistake about it, water is vital for economic activity, and not just for farms and corporations but for small businesses and to maintain many jobs. Without adequate water supplies, construction jobs, housing, fishing and other business projects cannot go forward. That’s the way Governor Pat Brown saw it when he put forth the California water project in 1960.