Do You Know Your Congressmen? [Archive] - Comic Book Resources Forums

Sally Sensational

10-18-2006, 08:44 AM

Yep and Yep

Rodney Alexander - one of the primary folks responsible for getting Mark Foley to go away (we had a page from very nearby me affected) - is my congressman. David Vitter is my senator

I voted for them both and, yes, they're republicans.

But this is Louisiana - so the lines are a bit blurry and, if you want to know about current Louisiana democrats, I'll give you two "shining" examples:

Kathleen "I don't know what to do" Blanco AND
Ray "Chocolate City" Nagin (who is admirable, in a way, but still embarassing).

Never underestimate the complexity of Louisiana politics. After all, the jury's still out on whether Edwin Edwards has a chance of re-election after he gets out of prison.

AndrewCrossett

10-18-2006, 09:26 AM

Yep and Yep

Rodney Alexander - one of the primary folks responsible for getting Mark Foley to go away (we had a page from very nearby me affected) - is my congressman. David Vitter is my senator

Mary Landrieu is also your Senator. She's a Democrat. At least according to her web page.

Louisiana politicians change political affiliation like other people change cologne or neckties. Rodney Alexander used to be a Democrat, then switched parties just before the next election in the hopes it would be too late for the Democrats to run a candidate against him. (He failed in that attempt, but he did get re-elected).

Democrat or Republican, though, all Louisiana politicians are conservative. Even the liberals are conservative.

DungeonmasterJim

10-18-2006, 09:41 AM

Umm,...maybe?

Kerry & Kennedy for Senators.

Richard O'Neal local congressman.

Strangely, I've been seeing a lot of other politicians because of the MacNeil/Lehrer news hour on PBS where they seem to regularly look at races between Democrats and Republicans across the country. Not a bad thing really. I also seem to hear quite a bit about LaMont vs Leberman because I live quite close to the Connecticutt border.

DM Jim

MrSuslov

10-18-2006, 10:16 AM

After all, the jury's still out on whether Edwin Edwards has a chance of re-election after he gets out of prison.
Isn't he the original guy about whom it was said couldn't lose unless he was caught (in bed) with a live boy or a dead girl? Admittedly, the line's lost some punch since Mr. Foley's conduct came to light, but still. You've got to love colorful characters like Mr. Edwards.

Sally Sensational

10-18-2006, 10:30 AM

Isn't he the original guy about whom it was said couldn't lose unless he was caught (in bed) with a live boy or a dead girl? Admittedly, the line's lost some punch since Mr. Foley's conduct came to light, but still. You've got to love colorful characters like Mr. Edwards.

That's him! 4-term governor, often accused, only once indicted and sentenced to federal prison. Also our only modern genuine cajun governor - he spoke English and Cajun fluently and with equal duplicity.

From Wikipedia - just more fuel for Louisiana political fire -

"In 1979, moderate Republican reformer David C. Treen was narrowly elected governor. Edwards had supported Treen's opponent, Democrat Louis Lambert of Ascension Parish. In 1983, Edwards defeated Treen's re-election attempt. Before election day, Edwards had joked with reporters: "The only way I can lose this election is if I'm caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy". Edwards zinged Treen many times, once describing Treen as "so slow it takes him an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes." During a gubernatorial debate in 1983, Treen asked Edwards, "How come you talk out of both sides of your mouth?" Edwards instantly responded, "So people like you with only half a brain can understand me." Although Edwards won the 1983 election in a landslide, effectively ending Treen's political career, former Governor Treen has spoken out against his former opponent's incarceration." (Emphasis mine)

Oh, and I am aware that Mary Landrieu is also a senator - but I didn't vote for her, as I missed that election. I did vote for Vitter. And we do have a few liberal politicians in Louisiana, they just don't get elected. After all, when the far right here is David "Grand Dragon" Duke, you don't have to be very liberal to be considered left of center.

For more on Louisiana politics - watch the movie: "Louisiana Boys: Raised on Politics" - it even has a great theme song!
http://www.cnam.com/flash/politics/boys.html

Tommy

10-18-2006, 10:31 AM

My rep is Ralph Regula. I have never voted for him (when I was of voting age I was not in my current district.) I have however met him briefly. I am not even sure if someone is running against him. He has been in that seat for 17 terms.

My senators are Mike DeWine and George Voinovich. Neither of whom I have voted for. DeWine is up for reelection, and I plan on voting for Sherrod Brown.

My governor is up for reelection this year as well. And I am solidly backing Ted Strickland over that freak Blackwell. The funniest thing about it is that there is an attack ad running about how Strickland is for gay marriage. Which of course told me all I needed to know about the opposition.

MrSuslov

10-18-2006, 10:57 AM

That's him! 4-term governor, often accused, only once indicted and sentenced to federal prison. Also our only modern genuine cajun governor - he spoke English and Cajun fluently and with equal duplicity.
Yay! In a world often filled with the likes of Wallace Gray or the other fatuous gasbags---see The Colonial Gang*---guys like Edwin Edwards make political science fun. I'm not sure that his type are the best for governing, but they sure make for delightful sound bites and outtakes from debates and ads.

---
*Of course, a lavatory exclusive with Playa Palacios might change my mind on the whole arrangement, but perhaps that's restricted to one greasy-haired chap.

Kevinroc

10-18-2006, 11:18 AM

Jane Harman (House), Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (Senate).

The one I've had the biggest problems with is Feinstein. I think I voted for all of them but Feinstein (although that could be more due to me being unable to vote during Feinstein's last election campaign).

Charles RB

10-18-2006, 12:37 PM

Yes and no (but I plan to this time round).

Briareos

10-18-2006, 12:40 PM

I've never met my elected officials but I play on voting for Duncan Hunter for the house and against Feinstein in the senate. Feinstein compeltely lost what little credability she had when she voted against Alito and couldn't think of a good reason why.

AndrewCrossett

10-18-2006, 12:44 PM

After all, when the far right here is David "Grand Dragon" Duke, you don't have to be very liberal to be considered left of center.

I remember in the 80's when Duke was threatening to run for Congress as a Democrat. The Democrats were falling over themselves trying to figure out a way to prevent it. Then he did run for governor as a Republican, and the national Republicans (including George Bush I) had to endorse Edwin Edwards. I believe that was the first time I ever heard the phrase "hold your nose and vote for *******."

Sally Sensational

10-18-2006, 01:05 PM

I remember in the 80's when Duke was threatening to run for Congress as a Democrat. The Democrats were falling over themselves trying to figure out a way to prevent it. Then he did run for governor as a Republican, and the national Republicans (including George Bush I) had to endorse Edwin Edwards. I believe that was the first time I ever heard the phrase "hold your nose and vote for *******."

The bumper stickers for that election read "Vote for the Crook; It's Important"
and "Slay the Dragon".

TCJohnson

10-18-2006, 02:02 PM

My senators are George Allen and John Warner. Warner is not too bad except he toes the party line way too much, but George ALlen is a racist crook. I did not vote for either.

James Moran is my congressman and I believe he is doing a good job although I don't follow him as closely as I should. I did vote for him.

MacQuarrie

10-18-2006, 02:15 PM

My congressman is Adam Schiff. He replaced Jim Rogan, who was a really good congressman until he got caught up in impeaching Clinton. That cost him his seat, and even though I hated Clinton, I would have opposed impeachment if it meant Rogan got to stay.

Schiff is okay, better than I thought he'd be, but he's a bit too stereotypical "politician" for my taste.

My senators are Dianne Feinstein (not a fan) and Barbara Boxer (hate her guts). Sadly, there doesn't seem to be anybody else I 'd prefer to have in there.

My state Senator is Jack Scott, with whom I've worked on some legislation. I disagree with him on several issues, particularly gun control (his son got killed mishandling a firearm at a party and that's somehow the gun's fault; apparently nobody is intelligent or mature enough to not do stupid things with loaded guns, so we need Nanny to protect us from ourselves), but he's a decent and honest guy.

My state Assemblyperson is Carol Liu. She seems okay, but she's getting term-limited out. No idea who or what we'll get in her place, but the area is so gerymandered it's practically guaranteed to be the Democrat.

My County Supervisor is Mike Antonivitch. Decent guy, a little oily, but better than most of LA's weasels. At least I'm not stuck with Nate (scumbag) Holden or one of the psychos.

My city Councilmember is Victor Gordo. He lives down the street from me. First Democrat I ever actively campaigned for. I'd take a bullet for him.

Dark Galaxy

10-18-2006, 02:58 PM

My Congressman is David Wu(D).

I voted for him, and have contacted his office a few times regarding votes and issues I felt strongly about. His office has always been very diligent on sending responses regarding my inquiries.

Oh, and he shook my hand at the "Race for the Cure" one year.

My Senators are Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith.

I voted for Wyden(D), not for Smith(R).

I Heart Ron Wyden:)

shrike

10-18-2006, 03:31 PM

Like in a religious sense?

vanityman

10-18-2006, 03:35 PM

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12054520/the_10_worst_congressmen/1

heh

Noah Johnson

10-18-2006, 08:36 PM

I invited Earl Blumenauer to my Halloween party, I'm such a fan of his.

Alex L

10-19-2006, 09:48 AM

My House representative is Nancy Pelosi, who says she's so far left she wouldn't call herself a moderate. I haven't yet decided if that's a good thing or a bad thing. :)

I guess I should find out more about her, since if the Dems retake the house she's going to become the Speaker.

Boxer and Feinstein I know substantially less about.

Shem the Penman

10-19-2006, 10:27 AM

Brack360

10-19-2006, 05:41 PM

Mine are Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and John Tierney, and I think all of them are doing a great job. I voted for all of them when eligible to do so.

Rob Allen

10-19-2006, 06:57 PM

My Senators are Ron Wyden (D) and Gordon Smith (R); neither is up for re-election this year. My Representative is David Wu (D), who doesn't seem to be in any danger. Oregon has five districts, and three of them are extremely safe for their incumbents. Greg Walden (R), Earl Blumenauer (D) and Peter DeFazio (D) have only token opposition. The other two districts are more even in registration, and my district is one of them. Both have Democratic incumbents, and this time the Republicans decided to focus all their efforts in one of them. So Rep. Darlene Hooley is in the midst of a very acrimonious battle and David Wu gets to skate back to DC.

Alex Dragon

10-19-2006, 07:29 PM

I don't plan to ever vote again. I probably will but I'm not happy about it. I'm generally just disgusted with the process and politicians. During election time all those yahoos just litter the sides of the streets with huge signs with their mugs on them and run ads telling everyone how they'll make such a difference once they become elected. They seem to have a very annoying presence during election time but once they're in you don't see or hear much of them until a scandal involving them breaks. I guess there might be some fine and decent public servants out there but from what I see most of them only seem to really be interested in money and power. I'm sure that's almost always been the case but these days it just seems so obvious and blatant. They don't seem to be too interested in actually making things better for the communitity/town/city/state/country but rather trying to please the people who helped get them elected and donated the most money to their campaign and to them personally. No matter how long they're in office the list of positive things getting done is always much shorter than the list of things that make me wonder "Who exactly does that benefit?".

It seems every time I vote these days it's not because I think the person I'm voting for will do a good job but rather to try and get rid of the current person in the position or to try and keep some dirtbag from winning.

Yeah, I know there are some truly good people serving amongst the people doing it for the wrong reasons but I think the way the election process works these days and how people come to the conclusion of who they vote for it makes it harder for the "good" people to get elected.

Riker Omega Three

10-19-2006, 08:46 PM

My Congresswoman is Virginia Foxx, and my two Senators are Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, all Republicans. I've never cast a ballot before, so I didn't vote for them. I'm 26 and I sort of feel bad about not voting, but even if I were registered, I'm not sure who I would vote for.

David Bedlam

10-20-2006, 03:07 AM

I don't have a congressbiped. I'm foreign!

So I have an MP,one Marsha Singh.

http://www.nriinternet.com/Section3Who/WhoEurope/UK/M_R/Marsha%20Singh_MP/marsha_singh.jpg

Yes, apparently Marsha is a guys name.

Sally Sensational

10-20-2006, 10:43 AM

I don't have a congressbiped. I'm foreign!

Congressbiped? BRILLIANT! No more confusing man/woman things, no more him or her or her or she. We can simply refer to anything by the number of it's legs, rather than concerning ourselves with gender.

Example - "Each of our city councilbipeds has been asked to attend the ground-breaking ceremony"

Nick Soapdish

10-20-2006, 11:12 AM

US Senators are Bill Nelson (D) and Mel Martinez (R). I voted for the former reluctantly in the last election and against the latter. I'll be voting for Nelson enthusiastically this time around. Not because he's done a good job, but because he's going up against Katherine Harris.

My US Representative is Allen Boyd (D). I'm not sure if I've ever voted for or against him. I don't think he's even on the ballot this time because he's completely unopposed. He doesn't completely suck (to my knowledge) so I don't really have a reason to vote against him and I don't recall seeing a candidate go up against him that was worth voting for or against either. So I think that I've abstained.

Dry Observer

10-21-2006, 01:06 AM

My representative, Curt Weldon, is a slimy, corrupt conspiracy theorist who hangs on by virtue of the Republican machine that runs Delaware County and some ability to porkbarrel. If there is any justice in the world, he'll be looking for a new job after the election.

Not to pick sides here, but I believe that Weldon happens to be struggling a bit in the polls. I'm pretty sure I've seen some pretty bad news for him in the last several days, though all the bad numbers for Republican House members start to run together after a while.

My senators aren't much better: Arlen Specter, the only living example of a human/jellyfish crossbreed, and the odious Rick Santorum. At least Santorum's on his way out.

Just looking at Specter's recent history, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he switched parties if the Democrats take the Senate this Fall... or if they come one vote shy. You get the impression that the Administration's supporters have essentially extracted blood oaths from Specter on what he will and won't do as Judiciary Committee chairman. And my impression was that he was all but forced to vote for the recent interrogation/torture bill (your choice of adjectives, depending on your perspective).

As some have noted, that's a dangerous game to play with Senators -- especially ones who would find it a lot easier to run in the other party.

Ralph

Dry Observer

10-21-2006, 02:11 AM

My Congresswoman is Virginia Foxx, and my two Senators are Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, all Republicans..

You too, eh? About where in the district are you, if you care to say? You can say "near _____" if you want, or nothing at all.

I've never cast a ballot before, so I didn't vote for them. I'm 26 and I sort of feel bad about not voting, but even if I were registered, I'm not sure who I would vote for.

You know, I do think it takes some real effort to cast a ballot with some confidence, if you really want to know where the parties stand, and haven't been paying too much attention to them. But the less people reward good behavior and punish bad behavior, the more likely you are to see corruption in your elected institutions. And sometimes, people wake up to discover that they won't have to trouble themselves over their vote anymore, because it's been taken away from them.

David Wharton

10-21-2006, 04:40 AM

My MP (I'm also foreign) is David MacClaine (Conservative) who was parachuted by central office into our safe constituency in 1987.

For the first ten years he was an absolute party man toeing whatever line the Tory leadership wanted him to and was a junior minister. He was also very oily 0and slippery.

Since he has been in opposition though he has become a good local MP consistantly standing up for the his constituents. While he is still a good party man he has gained a lot of respect in the area, which coupled with his diagnosis of MS has made him seem a lot more human and less oily.

I voted for him in the last general election and will probably continue to do so until he stands down.

Dry Observer

10-21-2006, 03:37 PM

Hmm. "Funny" thing about MS -- a major study (http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/conditions/01/13/vitaminD.ms.reut/) involving thousands of people tracked over a period of years found that taking Vitamin D generally helped ward off the disease (40 percent less likely in women). It's long been suspected that MS's incidence in polar extremes -- where there's less sunlight -- is a result of people getting less sun, and thus their bodies producing less Vitamin D. This study seems to confirm that link.

Ralph

Riker Omega Three

10-21-2006, 07:00 PM

You too, eh? About where in the district are you, if you care to say? You can say "near _____" if you want, or nothing at all.

I think I'll just say western Forsyth County, if it's all the same to you. I know that probabally doesn't help too much, but it should give you a general idea where I am. It's funny to look at congressional maps sometimes, to see all the creative redistricting that has gone on. The 12th in North Carolina is one of my favorites. :)

Loren

10-22-2006, 06:08 PM

My current Rep is Cynthia McKinney. I'm sure you've heard of her. She lost the primary, and I'm running for her job (http://www.voteloren.com). And no, I didn't vote for her.

My Senators are Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss. Didn't vote for either one of them. In the former's case, my absentee ballot never came in the mail. In the latter, I voted for the Libertarian (who is in this year's Lieutenant Governor's race).

My state senator is Dan Weber. My state rep is Mike Jacobs. Other than the fact that Jacobs went to my law school, I don't know much about either one. I've only lived here for six months, so this is the first election I've had to consider either one of them. Weber participated in a debate I was in the other night, but neither of us got much time to talk, so I didn't get much of an impression.

suedenim

10-24-2006, 02:15 PM

James Moran is my congressman and I believe he is doing a good job although I don't follow him as closely as I should. I did vote for him.

He's my congressman too. I thought I'd escaped him when I moved from Alexandria to Reston, but I was disenfranchised by a 2000 gerrymander that gave Moran and Republican Tom Davis (formerly my congressman, and OK) both guaranteed safe seats for life.

If even a fraction of the stuff said about him is true, Moran's a pretty awful person. Apparent borderline (if not over-the-line) anti-semite, a hothead, a "support the troops, so long as I don't support their mission, or support them in any other meaningful way" hypocrite, a crook (IIRC, introduced legislation to help a particular corporation 1 day after getting a big campaign contribution from them.) I can't vouch for everything this guy says:

http://fourthworldwar.blogspot.com/2006/01/jim-moran-dissing-veterans-picking-on.html

But this bit is (amazingly, I admit) true, and was reported in the Washington Post and everything:

In 2000 he roughed up an 8 year-old black boy who had been admiring his car. Moran said he was acting in self-defense because he thought the third-grader had a gun.

"Roughed up," I believe equated to pushing and shoving, but still, I mean, eight?

But apparently, as long as he's got a capital "D" after his name, he's got guaranteed employment for life. In 2002 some Democrats tried to mount a serious primary challenge against him but failed, and appear to have given up on that notion since.