Although the Democratic Party is supposed to be in for a scrubbing nationally on Tuesday, the 80 smiling Westside Democrats who jubilantly assembled in Culver City last night were celebrating an apparent anomaly — an anticipated cinch victory by their new favorite Congressperson, Karen Bass (D-Culver City).
The sprawling district of 643,000 residents from South L.A. to Los Feliz, covered volubly for the past decade by the retiring U.S. Rep. Diane Watson, who turns 77 just after Election Day, is one of the safest Democratic enclaves in the country.
No matter if Al Capone does the counting. No matter how many or how few voters participate. If everybody in the district died tonight, the 57-year-old still Ms. Bass would win lopsidedly because of the write-in ballots already cast over the obscure Republican, one James L. Andion.
Upwardly Washington Mobile
Eight months and one day after being term-limited as Speaker of the Assembly, Ms. Bass — still addressed as “Speaker Bass” — is within hours of the most significant triumph of her soaring political life.
Last night’s spirited overflow gathering on the second floor of Democratic quarters on Sepulveda Boulevard was the second stop on a weeklong Listening Tour, an enticingly named concept popularized several years ago by Hillary Clinton. Previously in South Los Angeles, the caravan moves to Los Feliz this evening and stops next week in Koreatown.
Breezy and fast-paced, the two-hour program genuinely was about hearing constituents’ concerns. For awhile it seemed every person in the audience brought at least one question or plea.
Unofficially the elected greeter for the evening, City Councilman Scott Malsin established the tone for the dialogue:
“It is a pleasure to be here, and to look forward to next Tuesday’s election,” he said. “All of us here are excited you will be serving us in Congress. The City Council has enjoyed working with you over the past years, and we look forward to working with you over he past years, and we look forward to working with you in the years to come.
“At the request of some citizens who have raised this the past few days, here is something you and I have talked about, issues related to the Inglewood Oil Field, to oil drilling generally. Culver City has been an environmental leader, not least in fighting to make sure that operations in the Inglewood Oil Field are respectful and protective of the safety and welfare of our community. I am here to let you know that still is an issue of great concern to us.”
Her Favorite Setting
Unlike some politicians, Ms. Bass thrives in a crowd setting, loves being surrounded by constituents. Compactly built and fashionable in a stylish brown pants suit, her eyes spanned the crowded room and she said, “This part is what keeps me going. If only I didn’t have to deal with the halls of Sacramento and the halls of Washington.”
Appearing familiar in a general way with the long running health-and-safety conflict between residents and the Plains Exploration & Production Co., PXP, Ms. Bass said when she was house-shopping near the oil field, she found “three or four” families with instances of cancer, possibly linked to oil drilling. “I want to do everything I can to help you,” she said.
Turning to the subject of a predicted Republican tidal wave in the House of Representatives after two terms of Democratic rule, Ms. Bass scoffed at the suggestion. “I am not convinced at all the House is going to be given to the Republicans so they can go crazy,” she said. “I do believe we are going to lose some seats. But I do believe we are going to retain the majority.
“Something that rarely is talked about is seats we are contesting that we can win from the Republicans.”
Ms. Bass went on to say that since her safe district is invulnerable to more than incidental GOP gains, the national party has sent her around the country, the Middle West and Deep South, in recent weeks to boost fellow Democrats, incumbents who may be in trouble and challengers with a chance. This afforded her an opportunity to launch the line of the night.
When she was in Kansas, Ms. Bass said, to endorse a wife seeking to succeed her husband, she was forbidden by party handlers to use two words because of their rising unpopularity:
“Obama” and “Pelosi.”
