Although U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman won the 33rd Congressional District against Independent challenger Bill Bloomfield last week, the reforms Bloomfield promoted and the voters supported (Open Primaries and Citizens Redistricting Commissions) have accomplished much more for the state.
U.S. Rep. Pete Stark of the Bay Area, the longest serving Congressman in the state, finally lost re-election after 40 years. Howard Berman of Valley Village lost his seat to the younger Brad Sherman, whose geographical advantage in the new 30th Congressional District carried the day.
On Election Night, Bloomfield announced to his campaign supporters in Manhattan Beach that Congressman Waxman had just joined “No Labels.” He also pointed out that Congressman Waxman, for the first time in years, had to speak to voters, get their thoughts on issues. For the first time in four years, Waxman visited the Malibu Coast to speak with Democratic supporters. The tally for the final vote went all the way to the early morning. Waxman won reelection by 53 to 47 percent, the slimmest margin by which Waxman has ever kept his seat.
First Step: Getting His Attention
Independents and Republican voters perhaps do not trust that Waxman, who is entering his record 20th term in office, he will respond more effectively to their needs. Still, the fact he had to pay attention to the voters by campaigning and explaining his platform should confirm to voters that his seat is not as secure as it used to be. Hopefully, the reforms that forced him to fight for his seat will also force him to get along with his Congressional colleagues. Yet another problem remains. What is it going to take before the voters in this country will stop hoping for government to have the answer to all their problems? Sadly, Congressman Waxman still reminds many of the surrogate God that many people have established for themselves because they have nothing else to connect to. I can understand why many people keep running to Big Government, whether they belong to “religious affiliations” or secular interests, since they see nothing bigger to attach to. Yet even Big Government is failing. Not counting on our Congressmen, but keeping our Congressmen accountable – that's what we need, no matter what, no matter who wins. We cannot hold leaders accountable if we are dependent on them. Hopefully, the 2012 election will be enough to keep incumbents on their toes from now on as they find their certain support slipping from their hands. Bloomfield started a movement in this state that belongs in every state. I only hope that the voters in this state and across the county focus less on what they can get from the state, and less on what the state can get from them.
A Good Campaign, but…
Bloomfield ran a good campaign. His reforms put a long-standing incumbent on alert. However, one historic fact hindered his campaign. Bloomfield was a registered Republican for years. In March 2011, he switched his party affiliation to Decline to State. However, he kept donating to Republican candidates, even during the 2012 Presidential primaries. Granted, he supported Mitt Romney during the early months of the GOP primary, then he switched to Jon Huntsman toward the end as Romney drifted to the right. Still, Bloomfield was donating to a party whose views on taxes and social issues did not match with the Manhattan Beach businessman’s new views.
Like Romney's 47 percent comment, Bloomfield's record of Republican donations dogged him throughout the remainder of his campaign. The last thing that voters want is a mixed message. Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice imparted her opinion that the GOP gave exactly that to the voters. The Republicans and the conservatives in Election 2012 wanted to introduce economic recovery. But the bankruptcy issues in the auto industry, the staggering losses families are going through in this country, these issues require more than “cut spending” as an answer.
Where He Went Wrong
Voters want to hear a message that does not marginalize them or diminish their concerns. On a positive note, Bloomfield admitted following the election that he should have divested himself completely from the Republican party. Bloomfield conducted a kind campaign. Despite his well-placed criticisms about Waxman's neglect of our veterans, or the special interest money that he received from Big Pharma, Bloomfield focused on hyper-partisanship, solving this nation's problems. He did very well, considering that he took 47 percent of the vote, including a growing number of independents and Democrats who were tired of Henry Waxman.
Bloomfield's Big Mistake was that he did not leave the GOP permanently. Two years from now, he must define himself much better. He can also promote the reforms that caused Waxman to watch his step.
Yet we the voters must be watching, as well. “Waxman Watch” remains with all eyes open. Congressman Waxman, we will be watching. If necessary, future Republicans, independents and conservative Democrats can rise up to keep you and any other incumbent in place and replace with you better representation if you refuse to respect the Constitution and represent the people who send you into office
Mr. Schaper of Torrance, a teacher turned writer “on all topics timely and timeless,” may be contacted at aschaper1.blogspot.com and at asheisministries.blogspot.com
