Why I’m running for Congress

The Washington Post ^ | February 14 | Matt Miller

[Kenny]

On Jan. 30, I was walking in New York when I felt my phone vibrate. A news alert said that Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) had announced he would not run for reelection.

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The district Waxman has represented for 40 years is a beautiful corner of the world that includes Malibu, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica and stretches down along the coast to the South Bay and Palos Verdes. It’s among the wealthiest and most politically engaged constituencies in the country. It seemed likely that whoever succeeded Waxman would be able to keep this safe Democratic seat for as long as he or she wished to serve. So if I were ever going to seek the honor of representing my neighbors, it was now or never.

The timing seemed fated to test my values. The reason I was in New York when the Waxman news broke was to meet with a publisher about a book proposal. Its working title is “Making Victory Matter: Why Democrats Need to Think Big Again.” The premise is that, after eight years of a talented president whom much of the country sees as a “socialist,” virtually every measure of a good society that progressives care about (save for expanded health coverage) will be going in the wrong direction.

[Kenny]

The premise is that, after eight years of a talented president whom much of the country sees as a “socialist,” virtually every measure of a good society that progressives care about (save for expanded health coverage) will be going in the wrong direction.

This guy does oped for major news outlet, no bias there.

[Avid Coug]

Yay! More free stuff for everybody! (sarc)

[ifinnegan]

I heard that this is the richest district in the nation.