No one is going to remember anything about the SOTU by the time of the primary next year. A challenger would need to hit him for some scandal or some substantive vote he took. Suburban districts generally don't go for bombthrower types in any case.
I seem to remember a noncontroversial, entrenched incumbent without any sort of scandal or substantive vote who lost to an up and comer in 2018. Maybe the suburbs won't go for it, but maybe they will. It doesn't happen until it happens. Whoever runs probably loses and Bera cruises to re-election but I don't think he should get a pass even if people won't remember the SOTU next year.
How about, "He rolled over to respect Trump and can't meet the moment"
No one is going to remember anything about the SOTU by the time of the primary next year. A challenger would need to hit him for some scandal or some substantive vote he took. Suburban districts generally don't go for bombthrower types in any case.
I seem to remember a noncontroversial, entrenched incumbent without any sort of scandal or substantive vote who lost to an up and comer in 2018. Maybe the suburbs won't go for it, but maybe they will. It doesn't happen until it happens. Whoever runs probably loses and Bera cruises to re-election but I don't think he should get a pass even if people won't remember the SOTU next year.
Crowley got caught napping, and his district wasn't remotely comparable to Bera's.