Republicans Try for Upset Win in California U.S. House Election

[ej510]

A Republican businessman is vying for an upset in a U.S. House special election in Southern California today, running a largely self-financed race in a bid for victory in a traditionally Democratic district.

The campaign to replace U.S. Representative Jane Harman, a Democrat, pits Republican Craig Huey, making his first bid for public office, against Democrat Janice Hahn, a Los Angeles City Council member and scion of a prominent local political family.

Harman gave up her seat early this year to become president and director of the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She won re-election in 2010 by about 25 percentage points, and in the 2008 presidential vote Barack Obama carried the House district by 30 percentage points -- evidence of its Democratic tilt.

Yet with unemployment at 11.7 percent in California as of May, the U.S. and the state struggling with their budgets and turnout low in special elections, Republicans see an opportunity for an upset victory.

Cont'd at the link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-12/republicans-try-for-upset-win-in-california-u-s-house-election.html

Republicans destroyed the economy and now they want to benefit from it.

[Ozymanithrax]

1. History shows that our bad economy gives Republicans an edge...

because when unemployment is high and the economy bad, the electorate tends to throw out the bums in power (which should not be confused with the people who caused the problem.)

I'm not sure that this will work in a seat so favorable to Democrats, but it is an election to watch.

[asjr]

2. Why anyone vote for the party that

got us to that 11.7 unemployment? Makes no sense.

[Bandit]

3. Since when did the Pro-gun, Pro-war, Pro-tobacco, "Pro-Life" Party make sense?

:shrug:

[asjr]

6. Well, we know that but evidently there

are many who don't. That is what confounds me.

[Johonny]

4. I was voter 6 today

no lines, no interest... bad sign for Dems. Huey is very vile candidate but mid summer seems like a horrible time for an election.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. The race looks tight, but Janice should prevail...

The district is heavily Democratic, and Huey is not in tune with most of the populace.

Turnout is KEY.

I've had some emails from local politicians, and they seem to think that Hahn will win.

God, I hope so.

Huey is our worst nightmare, and he's here.