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Rep. Pete Stark faces threat to long career
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/5/12 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

Posted on 05/05/2012 9:00:58 AM PDT by SmithL

It was a revealing moment for California Rep. Pete Stark, the irascible East Bay liberal who has forged a reputation as a firebrand during four decades in Congress.

The 80-year-old Democrat, in a meeting with Chronicle editors and reporters this week, appeared to be confused about Solyndra, the Fremont solar power company whose collapse has fueled Republican criticism of the Obama administration's energy policies this election year.

"I wish I had enough expense allowance to get one of those new S's that Solyndra's going to make down there - the electric car," Stark said, after being asked about the company. "They run $60,000 to $90,000."

Solyndra doesn't make electric cars - or anything else. It declared bankruptcy and shut down last year after receiving $535 million in government loan guarantees. The electric car company in Fremont is Tesla Motors, which took over part of the abandoned Nummi plant and will release its next car, the model S, this summer.

Stark's gaffe may have been dismissed in the past as a simple mistake. But it was only the latest in a string of confounding statements and unsubstantiated charges he has made in recent weeks, raising questions about his effectiveness as he seeks his 21st term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Last month, at a candidates debate in the East Bay, Stark accused Eric Swalwell, his Democratic opponent in the June 5 primary election, of taking "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in bribes. At Tuesday's meeting at The Chronicle, Stark wrongly accused the newspaper's conservative columnist, Debra J. Saunders, of donating to Swalwell's campaign. In both cases, Stark was forced to apologize.

"I don't think he's fit to be in office,"

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: cultureofcorruption; fortney; petestark; rat; solyndra; solyndracar; solyndrafraud; stark; starkravingmad

1 posted on 05/05/2012 9:01:08 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

This is a glaring example why we should not let these guys make a career of so-called public service.


2 posted on 05/05/2012 9:03:41 AM PDT by Parmy
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To: SmithL
It was a revealing moment for California Rep. Pete Stark, the irascible East Bay liberal who has forged a reputation as a firebrand during four decades in Congress.

Translation: he's a jerk, but a liberal, so he gets a pass, but now he's suffering from dementia.

3 posted on 05/05/2012 9:07:45 AM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: SmithL

When you get to the age of 80, your brains runs a lot slower than it did at seventy. That is why the Cathollic Church does not permit Cardinals over 80 to vote for the next pope. The pope himself, who is turning 85, himself feels the clock ticking . Even with modern medicine, old is old.


4 posted on 05/05/2012 9:09:30 AM PDT by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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To: SmithL

Senile old commie-time to retire.


5 posted on 05/05/2012 9:10:42 AM PDT by Signalman
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To: SmithL

"WAT?"
6 posted on 05/05/2012 9:13:20 AM PDT by StAnDeliver (=)
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To: SmithL

He can take John Dingell with him. These dinosaurs must go.


7 posted on 05/05/2012 9:27:00 AM PDT by kempster (HIPPO)
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To: Disambiguator
Or as I like to call him: Rep Pete Stark-raving-mad!

If the MSM were even close to fair, there would be reels of footage of this guy being a total jerk. But instead, we're treated repeatedly to a singular moment when Ted Nugent goes off on a smug CBS interviewer.

8 posted on 05/05/2012 9:36:58 AM PDT by JaguarXKE
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To: SmithL

Poor Fortney.


9 posted on 05/05/2012 9:44:14 AM PDT by paddles ("The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates." Tacitus)
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To: paddles
Stark is a psychopath. However, he is the image and likeness of his constituents. They vote him in year after year. Don't blame him, blame them.
10 posted on 05/05/2012 9:58:53 AM PDT by baiamonte
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To: SmithL
"I wish I had enough expense allowance to get one of those new S's that Solyndra's going to make down there - the electric car," Stark said, after being asked about the company. "They run $60,000 to $90,000."

The problem is not the demented psychopaths that are in Congress so much as it is the demented psychopaths that vote for them.

The Founders warned against Universal Suffrage and didn't put a right to vote in the Constitution, but 4 or 5 amendments later we have the likes of algore winning the popular vote, Carter elected once, Clinton twice, and an in your face communist named Hussein Obabma (I'm not a muslim, just everybody else in my family is) looking at reelection.

Not much better on the GOP side with geniuses voting for the likes of Rick Santorum (real presidential material there) and MYTH FLIP SLICK WILLARD.

Americas problems will not be solved by the electorate, for the problem with America is the electorate.

11 posted on 05/05/2012 10:13:32 AM PDT by Rome2000 (Rick Santorum -Mission Accomplished)
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To: SmithL

Term limits. Needed NOW.


12 posted on 05/05/2012 10:23:32 AM PDT by Fresh Wind ('People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook.' Richard M. Nixon)
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To: SmithL

Term limits. Needed NOW.


13 posted on 05/05/2012 10:23:59 AM PDT by Fresh Wind ('People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook.' Richard M. Nixon)
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To: Fresh Wind

The GOP should run M.C Hammer. He’s a Dem but he could get elected and vote RINO.


14 posted on 05/05/2012 10:50:07 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: SmithL
raising questions about his effectiveness ...

how about raising questions about his mental health? As to his effectiveness, well, isn't insane firebrand the role the RATs have for Fortney "Pete" Stark-raving-mad? He is very effective in that role because he IS a loon.

15 posted on 05/05/2012 11:04:35 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Chen Guangcheng: Gutsy call, Obama /UltraMegaDrippingSarc)
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To: SmithL

80 years old.

The passing of time is a natural antiseptic.


16 posted on 05/05/2012 11:05:24 AM PDT by lurk
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To: kempster

Gotta disagree. I’d rather have Dingel and Stark, in the minority in the House, rather than new lefties...Dingell and Stark are an embarasssment to the Dems and to Obama..they only help the GOP..besides..it is NO fun being in the minority in the House, and I like watching these two clowns, aling with Rangell..they once wielded enormous power..now nobody gives a rat’s ass what they say or think..


17 posted on 05/05/2012 11:37:57 AM PDT by ken5050 (FRACK Obama!!!)
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To: SmithL

“I don’t think he’s fit to be in office.”

When was he ever?

Four decades for an uber rich, white, liberal, male banker 1%’er, claiming to represent a predominantly black district. More evidence of neo colonialist paternalism from the democrat party.

I say keep him in office. Now that he’s officially senile, he might start to make some sense.


18 posted on 05/05/2012 12:39:19 PM PDT by DPMD
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