Election Trouble for Jane Harman

There are many reasons why progressives will mobilize behind the campaign of Marcy Winograd, who announced on Monday that she'll challenge incumbent Congresswoman Jane Harman in the 2010 Democratic primary.

Some will speak of Harman's pro-war record. Some will recall her support for warrantless wiretapping, followed by her irony-free indignation when it turned out that NSA snoops had taped her own phone conversations. Some will recount Harman's long public silence after being briefed on torture by the U.S. government.

And then there's the extensive evidence that Rep. Harman has gone over the top to do the bidding of the Israeli government and some of its most extreme supporters in the United States.

But what may be most significant about Winograd's race to unseat Harman in 2010 is that it reflects -- and is likely to help nurture -- a growing maturity among progressives around the country who are tired of merely complaining about centrist Democrats in Congress.

Many progressives are getting a clear take-home message: Let's stop griping about lousy members of Congress and start defeating them.

Winograd, a high school teacher in South Los Angeles, is a longtime activist who founded the LA chapter of Progressive Democrats of America. Back in 2006 -- after less than three months of campaigning -- she won 38 percent of the primary vote against Harman.

The launch of Winograd's new campaign (www.Winograd4congress.com) has come more than 12 months before Election Day. And the candidate's kickoff speech Monday afternoon laid out a tapestry of compelling reasons behind her second run for Congress.

At the Venice Pier in the northern end of California's 36th congressional district, Winograd sounded the unabashedly progressive notes that have animated her activism over the years.

Speaking of widespread economic woes in such areas as Torrance, where foreclosures have skyrocketed, Winograd declared: "It doesn't have to be this way. It is time to say NO to government waste, to trillion-dollar war budgets for endless occupations that breed more terrorists, to countless no-bid contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan that drain our treasury of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Halliburton gets rich, while the working family in Torrance watches their home slip away."

Congresswoman Harman provides a particularly spectacular example of an officeholder who has boosted militarism while helping to undermine civil liberties and human rights. But, in essence, on the Hill she's run-of-the-mill.

As a matter of routine, most members of Congress avidly serve corporate interests and the warfare state. They benefit when progressives leave electoral battlefields to others while complaining bitterly about corporatists and warmongers atop Capitol Hill.

Strong progressives like Marcy Winograd belong in the United States Congress. Movements that learn how to propel more candidates like her into office -- while defeating the likes of Jane Harman -- will gain strength for the long haul.

Norman Solomon is co-chair of the Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign organized by Progressive Democrats of America.

Comments

[Michael Pugliese]

As a DSA member who has followed some positions pushed by PDA, I'd be leery of Winograd, who has worked with a Stalinist sect named the Party for Socialism and Liberation, that runs the front group ANSWER on United Front anti-Zionist demonstrations. She does NOT support a Two state Solution. Has spoken on panels with Cynthia McKinney, the loon who has taken to appearing on far right radio talk shows, for that nugget see the Adam Holland blog who has several posts on McKinney and Winograd.

[mommadona]

"But what may be most significant about Winograd's race to unseat Harman in 2010 is that it reflects -- and is likely to help nurture -- a growing maturity among progressives around the country who are tired of merely complaining about centrist Democrats in Congress.

Many progressives are getting a clear take-home message: Let's stop griping about lousy members of Congress and start defeating them."

And dismantle the DINO DLC.

Next, Feinstein.

[Rule Of Law]

I wonder how many others in govt. have made as much money off these wars as Feinstein--maybe Cheney with his Halliburton stock?

[Rule Of Law]

AMY GOODMAN: A little-noticed anti-terrorism bill, quietly making its way through Congress is raising fears of the new affront on activism and constitutional rights. The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act was passed in an overwhelming 400-6 House vote last month. Critics say it could herald a new government crackdown on dissent and infiltration of universities under the guise of fighting terrorism. The bill would establish two government­-appointed bodies to study, monitor, and propose ways of curbing what it calls homegrown terrorism and extremism in the United States.

Representative Jane Harman (D-CA), the author of the bill, said, “Our plan must be to intervene before a person crosses that line separating radical views from violent behavior.”

It is precisely that line and that activity that the First Amendment protects...

Rep. Harmon has admitted to a long and productive relationship with the RAND Corporation, a California based think-tank with close ties to the military-i­ndustrial-­intelligen­ce complex. RAND's 2005 study, "Trends in Terrorism," contains a chapter titled, "Homegrown Terrorist Threats to the United States." Is this Act a bastard child?

Keep in mind also that Donald Rumsfeld was its chairman from 1981 to 1986 and Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Dick Cheney's felonious former chief of staff, and Condoleezza Rice were trustees. Enough said!

[SeymourButz]

I'm a South Bay-er who did not vote for Harman last year. I actually voted for the Republican just because I hate her. I will always vote for whoever is running against her, and the same for Feinstein.

[WorkingClass]

Attaboy Seymour. Its almost happy hour and I will raise my glass to you.

[LMPE]

With Dems like Harman, who needs Bill O'Reilly?

[peakbagger]

Great news ... as a constituent of Harman's I will be looking forward to vote for a progressive for a change ...

[msriseup]

I sooo agree with your analysis of Harman. She and Dianne F ore on my do not vote for list. If the Dems don't break from militarism and unquestioned support for Israel, why should 'progressives' continue to give them our support. What we really need, of course, is a a system closer to those of Western Europe where i is not winner take all.

[SeymourButz]

ditto

[legalgirl]

I did not vote for Winograd in the last election because I wanted to be sure democratics who could win won. Well, we did. Now, this time, I will vote for Ms. Winograd. Harman has thrown this constituent under the bus for the last time.

[TeeDub]

I had the same feelings in the last election (a dem must win) and I have the same feelings in this election....Harman must go. I'm a life long Torrance resident and have voted in every congressional election. For the first time, Harman will not get my vote.

[WorkingClass]

Congratulations legalgirl. You have learned an important if elementary lesson. Do not vote for fascists of any party.

[GreatNews27]

I'm sure Obama will endorse Jane. She represents what he's been defending since he took office: torture, anti-civil liberties, corruption, pay to play just to name a few. If he's supporting Specter then he's supporting Harman.

[EspressoAtNoon]

Mr. Solomon,
I just added you to my favorite blogger list. I am ecstatic to hear about Winograd. We on the Left need to help Winograd however we can to defeat Harman. Not only is it necessary for our Left leaning principles, it's vital to our nation's security interests that we don't continue to support those who consort with agents of foreign country's while holding positions within our security apparatus.

Maybe Congress will take a pass at investigating Harman for political calculations, but we should do everything in our power to unseat her and have her stripped of her position to do our country harm.

[dotsthefunist]

If there were more Marcy Winograds we could feel safe for the right reasons .

[NotBeatenYet]

S'long, Jane.