Chief
07-08-2008, 04:12 PM
The progressive case against Jim McDermott
http://www.crosscut.com/congress/15669/The+progressive+case+against+Jim+McDermott/
Seattle's most popular politician hasn't served his constituents well. In fact, he's done little more than attract national ridicule. Meanwhile, he's taking up space — preventing the rise of potential new leaders of the Democratic Party.
By Don Glickstein
For nearly 20 years, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott has been one of Seattle's most popular politicians.
He's been seriously challenged just once — in 1988, when, in his first race for Congress, he received 38 percent of the primary vote, with the remainder split between future Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, King County Assessor Ruthe Ridder, and four others. Since then he's received an average of nearly 78 percent of the vote.
"He will be re-elected as long as he wants to run for office," state Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz told a reporter.
Progressives have praised the 7th District congressman for voting against the Iraq war, and he became a minor national celebrity after appearing in Michael Moore's antiwar film, Fahrenheit 9/11.
But does a progressive veneer make up for below-average performance? Do good intentions excuse a lack of judgment that undermines his effectiveness and make him, in some corners, a laughingstock?
**SCHNIPP**
Admittedly, Jim Dunn is not a National disgrace, only because he hasn't had the opportunity to offend at a higher (or lower) level...
But some of the things that the Libs are saying about McDermutt are just as brutal as the complaints we have here on the other side of the aisle about Jabba the Dunn...
mrgrn
http://www.crosscut.com/congress/15669/The+progressive+case+against+Jim+McDermott/
Seattle's most popular politician hasn't served his constituents well. In fact, he's done little more than attract national ridicule. Meanwhile, he's taking up space — preventing the rise of potential new leaders of the Democratic Party.
By Don Glickstein
For nearly 20 years, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott has been one of Seattle's most popular politicians.
He's been seriously challenged just once — in 1988, when, in his first race for Congress, he received 38 percent of the primary vote, with the remainder split between future Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, King County Assessor Ruthe Ridder, and four others. Since then he's received an average of nearly 78 percent of the vote.
"He will be re-elected as long as he wants to run for office," state Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz told a reporter.
Progressives have praised the 7th District congressman for voting against the Iraq war, and he became a minor national celebrity after appearing in Michael Moore's antiwar film, Fahrenheit 9/11.
But does a progressive veneer make up for below-average performance? Do good intentions excuse a lack of judgment that undermines his effectiveness and make him, in some corners, a laughingstock?
**SCHNIPP**
Admittedly, Jim Dunn is not a National disgrace, only because he hasn't had the opportunity to offend at a higher (or lower) level...
But some of the things that the Libs are saying about McDermutt are just as brutal as the complaints we have here on the other side of the aisle about Jabba the Dunn...
mrgrn