Or does she need to take a position like this to 'maintain her political viability' with the folks at home (sorry to be so cynical)?
When I heard that Harmon did the right thing, I thought, guess she will be killed by the dems. like any other democrat that does not vote the party line.
It seems that the most we can get are two democrats voting with the republicans, but our side.............EGAD! maybe they can be replaced in 2006.
I live in Harman's district. As Dimocrats go, she is a wee bit more moderate and sane than most, especially on defense matters. We have the Los Angeles Air Force Base here in her district, and she's fought hard to keep it open.
That said, Harman is a Dimocrat through and through. Before the 2000 redistricting, this district was pretty evenly split between Dims and Republicans. But the 'Rats up in Sacramento redrew it so registrations here are now 60% Dim, with the rest divided between Republicans and Independents. Harman has no worries being reelected in this district now.