A recent diary talked about possible primary targets in the House. One simple method is to select those who meet three criteria: the most conservative overall Democrat from their state's House delegation (44 possible), voted to continue funding for the war in Iraq (30 of the 44), and also come from districts either carried by John Kerry or effectively tied. There are a total of six House members who meeet these criteria. All of them, at leaast on paper, seem worthy of a primary challenge. Let's look at the six.
At the top of my list is Rob Andrews. Andrews is an embarrassment and a threat. He comes from south Jersey, specifically the machine politics of NJ-1 (Camden County and surroundings). Andrews comes from the most overwhelmingly Democratic district of any of the six (60.6% for Kerry). He is the most conservative vote from the NJ Democrats in the House (a 78.34 score from Progressive Punch). The heart of his district is Camden, the saddest city in New Jersey. Back in the 1960's Camden had a population of over 100,000. Today, it's 43,000 and dropping. The city's literally bankrupt. The State runs the schools. And Rob Andrews? He's the Harvad educated messenger boy for the Norcross machine. The people deserve better. The people need more.
The Norcross Machine is the bete noire of the state's biggest paper, the Newark Star Ledger. It also is constantly fighting Democratic governors from a conservative view point. George Norcross comes from a union management background. But he carries water for the business interests. It's not a nice picture. And, to cap it off, unlike the Essex or Hudson machines, this one barely delivers at the polls. Andrews has $2,074,365 cash on hand, one of the largest hordes of anybody in congress. Every time an opening comes up for Governor or Senator in this state he is constantly mentioned as one of the front runners, solely because of his cash. Just about the only loser the Democrats could nominate would be Andrews, who would be crucufied for his ties to the Norcross machine. He needs to be ousted. At the very least, a vigorous primary would cut that cash horde down to size.
The second most Democratic district on the list is NV-1 held by Shelley Berkly. Berkly has a Progressive Punch score of 80.83 and comes from a district where John Kerry got 56.57% of the vote (he lost the state). Nevada Democrats came close in the two other Congressional Districts in the state but like a lot of elections seeemed to lose the close ones. Both Kerry and Gore lost narrowly here. The Kerry lose was close enough that the state as a whole rates a slight Democratic lean (very slight). Nevada Democrats (as seen from a distance) are in need of fighting spirit to combat the usual Republican dirty tricks. Time for a new leader on the House front?
Dutch Ruppersberger represents the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and a few Baltimore suburbs. His Progressive Punch score is 80.0; Kerry got 54.07% from the district. Ruppersberger has a $381,000 war chest according to Open Secrets (no report was filed for 3/31 according to fec.gov. Ruppersberger could represent the second half of a nice daily double (with Al Wynn). IIRC, Dutch is the former county exec from Baltimore County, the same position Spiro Agnew used to gain fame. illicit fortune, and then infamy.
Ron Kind in Wisconsin comes from a 51.37% Kerry district, and carries a Propgressive Punch score of 80.33. He has $426,746 cash on hand according to fec reports, the most for any Wisconsin Democrat in the House. Like the others hewre, he also voted to continue the war.
Jim Costa can be had. The California Democrat ranks 33rd and last among California Democrats in the House with a Progressive Punch score of just 75.68. Costa has only $256 K on hand. He's not a long term member. The district voted 50.63% for Kerry. In a dead giveaway, California Republicans left him unopposed in 2006 (Costa was either a freshman or a second termer IIRC).
The final name on the list is Leonard Boswell. Boswell has no business in Congress. He's aging, has health problems and is an anemic campaigner who drained $800 k from the DCCC in 2006. Boswell does fund raise well (he now has $320 K on hand due to first quarter fund raising) but he needs it and more. His Progressive Punch score of 69.62 is the worst on this list. Put the old guy out of his misery. Replace him! (I've seen a video tape of Boswell's stump speech, boring!).
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