In California, how could a Republican win over a Democrat? I mean is that strange or what?

Question

Republicans narrowly escaped a potentially demoralizing defeat in yesterday’s special House election to fill the California seat vacated by jailed former representative Randy “Duke” Cunningham, blunting Democratic hopes of turning the contest into the first step toward a change of power in the House in November.
Lobbyist and former representative Brian Bilbray squeezed out a victory over Democrat Francine Busby.

Answer 1

It was a conservative district, compared the average district in CA, and Busby stuck her foot in her mouth with that inane public remark about, "You don't need to register to vote! You don't need papers to help!" Even if you liked her politics, how can you trust anyone so boneheaded with any public responsibility?

Answer 2

Not everybody in California is a liberal democrat, just most of us.

Actually it is not so strange, like all other states the California legislature gerrymandered the districts. In order to get the super-majority required under California law, the Dems had to give the Reps a number of "safe" districts. One of these was the one convicted felon "Duke" was from.

The actual problem for the Reps is that in a district that Bush carried 70/30 and Duke carried 70/30 the Rep got less than 50%, with the Dem only a few points behind. The Reps are also worried because this election had the lowest turnout since turnout records were first kept in the 1950s. If there had been a higher turnout (like there always is in November) Bilbray would have lost.

Answer 3

Really not that weird - the California 50th is a very Republican district (Duke Cunnigham, now incarcerated, was the prior congressman and was a member of the GOP). The simple fact is the area around San Diego is very right-leaning, and Bilbray's win is not surprising, especially given the $4 million the RNC spent on the race (to Busby's 2 million). In fact, what's surprising is that Busby was able to make this a race in the first place: the seat hadn't been closely contested in years.

Answer 4

In San Diego County? The majority of the population of San Diego County are retired or active duty naval personnel - it is one of the most conservative areas in the entire USA.

George Bush won the 50th Congressional District 60-40 in both 2000 and 2004. The fact that Bilbray barely scraped by with 50 percent of the vote (to Busby's 45), after spending $5 million plus dollars signals that Republicans could be in major trouble heading into November.

Answer 5

They have a Republican "governator", too. Maybe, and this is a stretch, some people look at issues instead of party. Maybe Hillary was running there, too, carpetbagger that she is. Who knows? I don't think one race is going to make a huge difference in the "grand scheme" though.

Of course, the fact he "barely" won 49% to 45% in a heavily Republican district (and spent nearly twice as much as his opponent to do it) should be a little unsettling to the Repubs.

Answer 6

You're right...it is strange...perhaps the people of california figured out that the democratic party hasn't a clue how to run anything much less a state. So strange though it may be, it is a step in the right direction.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

It is due to voter's muddled thought processes.
The input to their minds is "Cunningham is a Crook". Then it proceeds - "Cunningham was a Democrat". Ergo - Democrats are Crooks.
Therefore vote Republican.
There is no Logic in the USA voter.

Answer 9

Democracy in America is sorta like a generic detergent. It's the bare minimum to keep us happy. 2 choices. electric voting booths with no paper trail. How hard can it be to change a 100010 to a 100011?

Answer 10

One district does not a state make...