Today's P-I proclaims that disgruntled former Republican legislator turned Democrat congressional candidate Rodney Tom "must overcome Republican past".
But seriously, while many of Tom's current positions are silly ("begin pulling troops out of Iraq within six months"? How does preannouncing a retreat help defeat terrorists?), his record includes some conservative positions that sensible Democrats should welcome.
Tom is a proponent of school choice, and was one of the leaders behind the (ultimately defeated) charter school law. (He even once thanked me for my support!).
In one legislative newsletter, Tom expressed his opposition to the death tax and called for sensible voting reforms, e.g. photo ID at the polls and proof of citizenship for registration.
Independents and conservatives should be more comfortable with Tom than, say, Darcy Burner, as long as he changed only his party label but not his underlying views. His primary campaign will reveal whether he's a genuine moderate or an unprincipled opportunist.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 18, 2007 01:00 PM | Email ThisGosh, I certainly hope our local papers will enlighten us on this point. For a certain contumelious local columnist, I think I know for certain what is the worst.
Posted by: Cliff on July 18, 2007 01:45 PM2004
Ross Hunter (D) 57.1%
James Whitfield (R) 42.9%
Debi Golden (D) 48.2%
Rodney Tom (R) 51.8%
Golden was running (to my knowledge) for her first public office. Tom was a well funded incumbent with great name recognition. Yet he almost lost. Compare the results in his election to the results in Ross Hunter's re-election. The eastside has been trending Democrat for some time. My opinion is that Tom got scared, and switched parties to keep his seat.
Fast forward to 2006. Golden files for state senate to run against Luke Esser, gets the approval from the Democrat party. Tom switches parties, the Dems drop Golden, and Tom beats Esser 53.4% to 46.6%
In 2004 Tom saw the writing on the wall and switched parties not because of a change in beliefs, but rather as a craven attempt to keep elective office. Had he stayed a Republican he would have lost his legislative seat; instead he's now in the senate and hoping for higher office.
He's an unprincipled opportunist with no sense of honor or decency. Which means that the Democrats will keep voting for him.
Posted by: Obi-Wan on July 18, 2007 06:00 PMI like things exactly the way they are.
I think we need to be in Iraq.
I think we're doing enough on the domestic front.
I think that everything that can or has to be done is being done.
The only troublemakers are the Darcy Burners in the world who feel they should somehow be part of it all without any skills to back themselves up.
Posted by: John Bailo on July 18, 2007 06:30 PMBest read up there Tommy.
Gezzzz typical Lib!
Something New: Young People Take Action -- The DNC Presents a Sophisticated, Late-night, Hip Hop and Alternative Educational Experience
Organization: Democratic National Convention
Category: Political/Special Interest Geographical Area: Atlanta
Start Date: 1/21/2004 End Date: 1/21/2004
Start Time:
End Time:
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Posted by: JDH on July 19, 2007 11:38 AMHowever, for some perspective ... I gladly voted for Republican Paul Horcher for the California Assembly. Not the most conservative guy, but it was LA County, and beggars can't be choosers. This re-election helped the Republicans win the Assembly 41-39, and they got to elect the Speaker for the first time in many years ... or so we thought.
Doris Allen, a Republican, decided to vote with the Democrats, and Horcher, just weeks after winning re-election as a Republican, switched parties. We re-elected him in November, and in December or January he was a Democrat. Just incredible.
So Willie Brown orchestrated it so that all the Democrats voted for Doris Allen, along with Allen herself, which was a majority. And she was, literally, a puppet for Brown, who was named the "speaker emeritus." It was utterly amazing. The Republicans won, they had a majority, and Willie Brown was STILL in control.
So anyway ... long story short is we recalled Horcher a few months later. It didn't prevent anything, but it made us feel good to punish him for his deception. Predictably, Willie Brown hired him to work in the SF mayor's office later.
Posted by: pudge on July 19, 2007 10:18 PM