The Virginia statute requires him to call a special election but like so many of these state statutes it doesn’t provide a time period. He’ll probably schedule it in conjunction with the November election
Scheduling the special election for November would be a mixed bag. On the one hand, it'll help us win the elections for Governor, LG, AG, etc. by increasing turnout in VA-11. On the other hand, it'll mean one less vote in Congress against Republican legislation, such as the "big, beautiful bill", in the mean time.
Third Dem vacancy in the first four months of this congress. The others being Raul Grijalva (77) & Sylvester Turner (70). I hope this doesn't give the Republicans the room they need to pass their "BBB".
They’ll probably pass it eventually anyway, but it could give cover to some swing district Republicans who could vote against it without actually preventing it from passing.
Something Republicans seem to not have as big of an issue with? I mean sure they have their Kay Granger and Chuck Grassley but it feels like a bigger issue on our side.
Democratic committee assignments and leadership favors seniority more. I think that plays a part.
If a democrat has to stick around for 20-30 years to get a level of influence, and will get to keep that influence until they leave... Well, in that case you're going to see them more likely to stick around as long as they can.
Let members of the house accomplish something earlier in their career and they might feel less like they need to stick around into their 70s and 80s because they finally "earned" some power.
The secret ballot effectively made independence within the caucus verboten and placed loyalty to the caucus above all other factors for members seeking power (so, the vast majority). The term limits had the effect of turning said power-hungry members' tool of choice from a chisel to a jackhammer in order to accomplish their agenda in a condensed timeframe. Together, these laid the foundation that allowed GOP members to be well to the right of their median voter, which became increasingly apparent throughout the 2000s and exploded in 2010.
As for Fox, its impact was minimal before 2000, and throughout the Dubya years it at least tried to present the facade of a right-leaning news organization. Then, the nearly 80-year old Murdoch decided his time was running out, chose to become the TV equivalent of the Limbaugh show, and helped Beck capitalize on the groundwork laid by congressional GOPers for the previous 15 years and gave us the Tea Party.
They work hand in hand, but the empowerment of the far right by the congressional leadership structure was a prerequisite for the fringe-ification we've seen since.
I’d say the threat of primary voters is the main reason for rightward shift of the GOP. They’re all afraid of losing their primary and Trump amplified by being a voice to encourage primaries when he wants to.
The threat of being primaried is pretty miniscule, and they tend to be more worried about a few particular individuals running than they do about their constituents discovering/caring about anything in DC beyond a few key votes. The past 30 years have seen a mere 12 GOPers lose a primary that didn't involve redistricting, a first termer, a party switcher, or a crime (so, less than 1% chance). There are more losses among those 12 due to personality flaws (Merrill Cook, Tim Huelskamp, Steve King, Bob Good) than notably insufficient conservatism (Wayne Gilchrest, Bob Inglis). It certainly rewards those like Chris Smith who easily adapt to whatever's on the party's agenda.
US Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) has died. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gerry-connolly-dead-age-75-virginia-democrat/
These announcements of elderly/sick Democrats who are dying in office this year are getting alarmingly frequent. Tragic and very sad.
Can Youngkin drag out the special election to replace Connolly like Abbott did in Texas?
The Virginia statute requires him to call a special election but like so many of these state statutes it doesn’t provide a time period. He’ll probably schedule it in conjunction with the November election
If that means greater Democratic Party turnout here in NOVA in November, fine by me.
Scheduling the special election for November would be a mixed bag. On the one hand, it'll help us win the elections for Governor, LG, AG, etc. by increasing turnout in VA-11. On the other hand, it'll mean one less vote in Congress against Republican legislation, such as the "big, beautiful bill", in the mean time.
If this becomes the difference between stopping Trump’s insane budget and being unable to do so, then I am definitely not ok with this!
The budget will get through even if the Democrats had their full contingent of 215.
Unfortunate and wish well for his family and friends
Third Dem vacancy in the first four months of this congress. The others being Raul Grijalva (77) & Sylvester Turner (70). I hope this doesn't give the Republicans the room they need to pass their "BBB".
They’ll probably pass it eventually anyway, but it could give cover to some swing district Republicans who could vote against it without actually preventing it from passing.
I just saw that 8 out of the last 10 members to die in Congress were Dems. Just absolutely nuts.
too many politicians are convinced the world can't get along without them...they are obviously wrong.
The RBG legacy
Something Republicans seem to not have as big of an issue with? I mean sure they have their Kay Granger and Chuck Grassley but it feels like a bigger issue on our side.
Democratic committee assignments and leadership favors seniority more. I think that plays a part.
If a democrat has to stick around for 20-30 years to get a level of influence, and will get to keep that influence until they leave... Well, in that case you're going to see them more likely to stick around as long as they can.
Let members of the house accomplish something earlier in their career and they might feel less like they need to stick around into their 70s and 80s because they finally "earned" some power.
The Republican alterations of their committee chair selections in 1995 are the #1 reason we have the unhinged GOP we have today.
Not commenting on if the system itself is any good.. I don't think I can agree with that in a world with Fox News in it.
The secret ballot effectively made independence within the caucus verboten and placed loyalty to the caucus above all other factors for members seeking power (so, the vast majority). The term limits had the effect of turning said power-hungry members' tool of choice from a chisel to a jackhammer in order to accomplish their agenda in a condensed timeframe. Together, these laid the foundation that allowed GOP members to be well to the right of their median voter, which became increasingly apparent throughout the 2000s and exploded in 2010.
As for Fox, its impact was minimal before 2000, and throughout the Dubya years it at least tried to present the facade of a right-leaning news organization. Then, the nearly 80-year old Murdoch decided his time was running out, chose to become the TV equivalent of the Limbaugh show, and helped Beck capitalize on the groundwork laid by congressional GOPers for the previous 15 years and gave us the Tea Party.
They work hand in hand, but the empowerment of the far right by the congressional leadership structure was a prerequisite for the fringe-ification we've seen since.
I’d say the threat of primary voters is the main reason for rightward shift of the GOP. They’re all afraid of losing their primary and Trump amplified by being a voice to encourage primaries when he wants to.
The threat of being primaried is pretty miniscule, and they tend to be more worried about a few particular individuals running than they do about their constituents discovering/caring about anything in DC beyond a few key votes. The past 30 years have seen a mere 12 GOPers lose a primary that didn't involve redistricting, a first termer, a party switcher, or a crime (so, less than 1% chance). There are more losses among those 12 due to personality flaws (Merrill Cook, Tim Huelskamp, Steve King, Bob Good) than notably insufficient conservatism (Wayne Gilchrest, Bob Inglis). It certainly rewards those like Chris Smith who easily adapt to whatever's on the party's agenda.
And the bill passes by a single vote.