Rep. John Lewis
- Thread starter Ken King
- Start date
Are you practicing "If you can't say something nice.....?
SamSpade
Well-Known Member
This is from memory - but I think I saw that he ran unopposed for something like 6 of his last nine elections.
This always bothers me. I realize when a candidate gets 80-90% of the vote consistently, there's little reason to bother.
Last election was unusual - the Dems decided to run a candidate ANYWAY even in districts where REPUBLICANS run unopposed. (Didn't help much).
Most election cycles, anywhere from 20 to 50 face no opposition in the general election - a few more, token opposition in the form of minor third parties. And MOST representatives face little to zero opposition in primaries.
In fact, most representatives come from "safe" districts. Most of the time, their ascent to power resides not by campaigning - but by kissing asses inside the party. Getting the nomination once the incumbent decides to leave or retire (or in this case - dies). That does kind of wipe out the whole idea that the people make the choices - they DO, but the parties are always trying to rig the game in their favor.
This always bothers me. I realize when a candidate gets 80-90% of the vote consistently, there's little reason to bother.
Last election was unusual - the Dems decided to run a candidate ANYWAY even in districts where REPUBLICANS run unopposed. (Didn't help much).
Most election cycles, anywhere from 20 to 50 face no opposition in the general election - a few more, token opposition in the form of minor third parties. And MOST representatives face little to zero opposition in primaries.
In fact, most representatives come from "safe" districts. Most of the time, their ascent to power resides not by campaigning - but by kissing asses inside the party. Getting the nomination once the incumbent decides to leave or retire (or in this case - dies). That does kind of wipe out the whole idea that the people make the choices - they DO, but the parties are always trying to rig the game in their favor.
SamSpade
Well-Known Member
Ballotpedia says the candidate seat is now OPEN - so I suppose they don't just give it to the next person in line? (Meaning Martin?)
SamSpade
Well-Known Member
I think the last time Lewis' district voted for a Republican, LBJ was President - so if he appointed a Republican it would be kind of pointless.
I don't think they can get someone on the ballot that fast so another R in the Senate until 2022
Hessian
Well-Known Member
Would love to be mistaken in this but I think Lewis was in the HR.I don't think they can get someone on the ballot that fast so another R in the Senate until 2022
Georgia already has Aug 11 set as a date for a "run-off" if needed. It seems it is now needed to get a Dem candidate on the ballot for the General.I don't think they can get someone on the ballot that fast so another R in the Senate until 2022
Well, I'll say something nice:
John Lewis, back in the day before he became corrupted by politics, was a fearless civil rights activist who rose from being the son of sharecroppers to a respected (YMMV) member of the House. Whatever you think of his politics, the man had guts.
John Lewis, back in the day before he became corrupted by politics, was a fearless civil rights activist who rose from being the son of sharecroppers to a respected (YMMV) member of the House. Whatever you think of his politics, the man had guts.
jrt_ms1995
Well-Known Member
SamSpade
Well-Known Member
Perhaps he knows something we don't?
But more likely just ignorant.
Lots of people misuse words - he likely thought it was more or less synonymous with character or morality.
I used to use the word "galvanize" in place of "polarize". It not only doesn't mean the same thing, it's the opposite of how it is commonly WRONGLY used - it's often used to mean "bring together" and it doesn't mean THAT, either.
