| More on the Davis vote/betrayal
Davis was one of 39 dems that voted against HCR reform and the only African American. Almost all of these were Dems from R+ districts. In fact the only other two from +D, I think were John Barrow and Dennis Kucinich. Barrow is right on the button. Davis also voted for the Stupak amendment. Davis was also only one of 8 that voted against that bill which came from districts Obama won in 2008.
Of the eight, Obama's highest percentage came in Rep. Artur Davis' 7th district where he won 74 percent of the vote. Davis' vote is rightly understood through a political lens as, despite the overwhelming support for Obama in his district, he is running for governor of a conservative-leaning state next November and wants to safeguard against attacks from Republicans.
Six of the remaining seven members -- Reps. John Adler (N.J.), Brian Baird (Wash.), John Barrow (Ga.), Larry Kissell (N.C.), Scott Murphy (N.Y.) and Glenn Nye (Va.) -- represent districts where the President took 55 percent or less in 2008, making their decision to vote "no" strategically defensible
(The last Democratic member holding an Obama district to vote against the bill was Rep. Dennis Kucinich who, as we all know, is tough to predict.)
Davis may in fact be chasing windmills in his bid to become Governor. I believed that he might have had a shot to win. However, betraying his base will be costly any way he tries to justify his vote. This is not the first vote where Davis's vote has been inexcusable for his district. A couple of others that immediately come to mind - Bankruptcy Act 2005, and Hate Crimes legislation.
Chance to Elect Progressive Dem in AL-07 in 2010
We will elect a more progressive Dem for this district in 2010. That's a given in my opinion. This is a race that the netroots should be actively engaged in based on the wishes for Better Democrats. I'm supporting and helping Shelia Smoot who I believe would be the most progressive of the leading contenders. In fact, I was sitting with Shelia last night watching the debate and final vote come in and I know that she would have voted for the passage of the bill and been a strong supporter.
She understands the needs of the voters in this district. She would be the first African American female elected to Congress from Alabama.
She is not going to be the well-funded candidate in the race. That will be Terri Sewell - a corporate attorney - and in my opinion the closest to Davis in her ideology and supporters.
However, I can personally vouch for the fact that Shelia Smoot is a fighter and would be a much more progressive voice in Congress. And she is a leading contender leading the only poll released for this race actually commissioned by another candidate in the race.
Shelia understands the need for better access to health care in this district. As a County Commissioner she's actively fought for keeping open Cooper Green hospital - the indigent care facility in Birmingham. She's also touring the rural part of the district (known as the Black Belt) and just yesterday was in the poorest part of the District - Perry County discussing health care.
I'll stick around for any questions. Shelia is on The Progressive Electorate Act Blue Page if you want to make a donation. She certainly will need our help. |
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