Comments on: Pete Stark talks about his TV camera hubbub

By: rew

rew — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:19:59 +0000

These town hall meetings Stark’s doing really are more of a PR thing, Stark is legendary for rarely visiting the districts he represents. He is a total creature of the Beltway. He lives in Maryland, spends virtually all his time in DC; For Stark, visiting the districts he represents is just a horrible chore he tries to avoid at all costs.
Stark likes the attention and glory he get’s as a Congressman in DC – along with the perks and bennies – he likes that part of the job – but he loathes the more unpleasant aspects of the job, like flying home to the district and atending community meetings and so forth. This type of work – central to the role of a represntative – Stark has long avoided, which is why he stinks as a Congressman.
George Miller, in contrast, is very close to the district he represents, he flys home every weekend, he’s always huddling with local leaders, attending community meetings, dropping by schools and colleges. Miller gets a “A” as Congressman in my book, Stark gets a “D-”.

By: Joe M.

Joe M. — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:28:14 +0000

At least Congressmen Stark and Miller hold these town hall meetings. When have Congressmen Garamendi and McNerney, for example, held such a real, live meeting recently? Even before their district lines were changed, McNerney and Garamendi stopped holding these public meetings. Instead they hold “telephone” meetings, usually “announced” at the last possible moment. No doubt their staff cherrypicks the questioners. God forbid that a citizen actually be allowed to ask an uncontrolled question that might reveal their congressman’s true colors. So the media — from KTVU to Carla Marinucci (who was more qualified to cover Contra Costa development politics than to run the political division of a major newspaper) — should turn their focus to the non-existent town hall meetings by Congressmen Garamendi and McNerney than to quibble with Congressman Stark about media access to his meetings. But that would require a media that actually does its job. It’s so much easier to do a “gotcha” story against one congressmen than to survey other congressional offices and figure out what they don’t do.

By: Elwood

Elwood — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:04:47 +0000

See the Stark follies here:

http://tinyurl.com/78rcrhq

By: rew

rew — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:21:27 +0000

Nancy Pelosi said yesterday in the New York Times new leadership, young blood, is good for Congress. I think she’s right about this. That’s why I’m backing 32 year old Alameda County Prosecutor Eric Swallell – he also serves on Dublin City Council – for this open congressional seat, the newly drawn 15th district. Stark is 81 years old, he’s been in Congress 40 years, I think it’s high time he step aside and let the younger generation serve. Most agree Stark is way, way over the hill – he’s no longer effective. Time to go with a younger person in this job.

By: Elwood

Elwood — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:47:13 +0000

Stark is a waste of time.

And space.

The arrogant old **** is senile.

By: RR, Senile Columnist

RR, Senile Columnist — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:32:49 +0000

Ol’ Pete is a crafty one. He realizes the so-called “Town Hall” format is useless as a forum for public opinion. It attracts cranks, weirdos and publicity seekers who do nothing to enlighten the voters. They are a waste of time. Of course, his opponents welcome anything that would make Starkers look ridiculous.