Comments on: CD10: The potential candidate rundown

By: Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lisa Vorderbrueggen — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:20:36 +0000

CalView,
I’m not hearing from anyone that Tauscher is leaving due to any pressure from progressive activists.

Tauscher has a chance to work in the highly specialized arms control field as an under secretary. I’ve interviewed her a number of times on a variety of issues and I never saw her light up quite as much as when she was talking about nuclear nonproliferation and national security. I believe she truly views this as a great career opportunity.

Plus, she is getting married this summer and her only child is leaving for college in the fall. Most brides like to live with their new husbands and I suspect that is a major reason behind her decision.

I fully expect the progressive activists to get involved in the campaign for Tauscher’s replacement at some point. But those that I have talked with say they are waiting to see how the candidate list shakes out after Tasucher officially resigns.

Progressive activists may not be wholeheartedly welcomed into the campaign, though. CD10 is still a centrist district with a high number of swing voters. I expect the Democratic front-runners will run toward the middle.

Lisav

By: CalView

CalView — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:47:03 +0000

Lisa,
Where is the Back Story?
Isn’t Undersecretary of a Department truly a demotion from Congress Member?
How hot was it in the Kitchen for Ellen Tauscher?
What kind of heat was she feeling from the many grass roots and activists groups demanding better legislation from her?
Have you called the grassroots folks to get their take on her sudden departure?
Sure many expected Ellen to take a Cabinet Position if Hilary won. But even that could be an excuse to zip out of the district and stay in Washington full time.

Was there a risk that the Activist constituents could throw their support behind a “do something” candidate for congress?

I’m suggesting viable Republican could have captured the hearts and minds of the activists and independents to energize 25% of the electorate into a campaign of swing voters to Toss Tauscher.

What kind of numbers do the civics groups have? More importantly, what kind of response can they generate from their Action Alerts and campaign support?

By: REW

REW — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:17:52 +0000

Warren Rupf, I might add, makes $300,000 a year as Sherrif (the Times reported this a few years back). He’s one of the highest paid civil servants in the nation. I doubt he’ll walk away from that to run for Congress, as seat he can’t win anyway (as his constultants are already telling him.

By: REW

REW — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:14:58 +0000

I can’t see any serious Republican, even Warrn Rupf, running for this seat. What would be thier platform? We need to return to the Bush years? It’s going to take several years for the Republican party to make a comeback. In California, it may take 10 years. GW Bush’s economic policies were just a disastor for the US – he almost cused another great depression! (the jury is still out, actually on that). This seat will remain Democratic. Period.

By: Ralph Hoffmann, Guest Columnist

Ralph Hoffmann, Guest Columnist — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:08:19 +0000

Anyone, 25 years of age or older, residing in CD-10, is qualified to serve. Experience is the best teacher,
but often also the cruelest. On the other hand, given
the cost of Special Elections, to conduct, and to campaign for, plus the dislike of all voters for incumbents blamed for the economy, shouldn’t we settle on a newcomer, as Ellen was once, with great non-political experience?

By: bernie quigley

bernie quigley — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:18:17 +0000

Piepho is a very interesting idea. I think there’s something to the notion that this is a “woman’s seat” and that a female candidate has an advantage. Buchanan is a poor speaker. Piepho is bright and appealling with centrist views. She could beat either Desaulnier or Buchanan. The Republican party would be making a good choice in recruiting her.

By: RR

RR — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:12:32 +0000

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the House seat. I shall be willing to serve, as would my role model, Caroline Kennedy, if asked nicely by the voters.

By: Lauren Unruh

Lauren Unruh — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:09:34 +0000

How about me?

By: REW

REW — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:35:20 +0000

Most of these would be candidates are dreamers., especially the Republicans thinking about running. No Republican has any chance of winning this seat, the Republican party is on life support in the liberal bay area. The candidate who will win this seat is the one who can lock up the support of orginized labor – which weilds a lot of power behind the scenes. You also need Miller, Pelosi, and Tauscher. Desaulnier has got this support, so he will win the seat, in my view.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 06:05:04 +0000

What about Abram Wilson or Mary Piepho?