ch: 2006

Some of the Republicans We're Saying Goodbye To

In California’s 11th Congressional District, MVP Jerry McNerney defeated Richard Pombo.

Richard Pombo:

• Was rated as one of the most corrupt members of Congress by a non-partisan watchdog group for “accepting campaign contributions in return for legislative assistance, keeping family members on his campaign payroll, and misusing official resources.” More.
• Was considered the number one priority for defeat by environmentalists. Pombo, among other things, has tried to gut the Endangered Species Act, push for more drilling in ANWR and offshore, and sought to sell off public lands to private holders.

In Virginia, James Webb defeated Senator George Allen.

George Allen called an American of Indian decent a “macaca” and ‘welcomed him to our country’ (even though he’s from the US). Allen also has a history of racial tension.

In Montana, Jon Tester defeated Senator Conrad Burns.

Among other things, Conrad Burns is severely corrupt. For example:

Missoulian: “U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., changed his stance on a 2001 bill after receiving a $5,000 donation from a lobbyist’s client who opposed the legislation, records show. The client hired Jack Abramoff as a lobbyist to defeat the kind of bill Burns voted against. Prior to receiving the payment, Burns did not oppose an identical bill that unanimously passed the Senate in 2000, Senate documents show.”

In Minnesota’s 1st CD, Tim Walz defeated Gil Gutknecht.

Gil Gutknecht:

• condemned war critics for talking about withdrawing from Iraq, saying that “this is not the time to go wobbly. Let’s give victory a chance.” He later flip-flopped and said Iraq was worse than he expected.
• flip-flopped on term limits; “After Gutknecht’s 1994 election, he pledged to serve no more than 12 years. Last May he backtracked on that statement.”