Costa - Yes! Churchill - No!

Scott Sturman

fliesinyoureyes.com

Sir Winston Churchill

In 2010 Jim Costa won a fourth term as U.S. Representative from California's 20th District but only by a whisker.  He barely survived a challenge by political neophyte and cherry farmer Andy Vidak, who led after election night, but not surprisingly lost when absentee ballots were counted.  For this election cycle Costa, hoping for an easier victory, will be running in the newly formed 16th Congressional District where he will face another political newcomer, Republican Brian Whelan.

When people talk about Congressman Costa, they are most impressed with his mediocrity. “Not the sharpest razor in the drawer,” as my father used to say.  However, Costa has made a life of politics.  He served in the California Assembly and Senate for 24 years, where some say his claim to fame was a clumsy attempt to pick up two undercover cops posing as prostitutes which ended in an embarrassing arrest.  Obviously, the incident did not affect his career adversely.  He represented a safe Democratic district and was a single man out on the town.  What’s wrong with a little fun for a Fresno farm kid, when he’s away from home in Sacramento?  Yet after 24 years in Sacramento, one could make the argument Sacramento was home.

Costa declares himself a “Blue Dog Democrat,” but during the Pelosi era, she could count on his support 93% of the time.  Pelosi is extremely unpopular in California’s Central Valley, but as long as she was throwing this Blue Dog a bone from time to time, he catered to her whims, while hoping the folks back home had short memories.  

A shift in political power occurred in November 2010, and in any other state Costa would have been packing his bags and looking for a new job.  Even in conservative Central California with nearly 20% unemployment, a beleaguered agricultural industry, and gallons of red ink, these colossal problems were not enough to unseat a career politician who is unable to identify the cause of these problems, much less solve them.

The American political process is mind numbing, so to put it in perspective one should recall the experience of Winston Churchill, acknowledged as one of the greatest statesmen and orators in the history of western civilization.  He won the Nobel Prize for Literature and a plethora of awards bestowed by the British Empire.  While Prime Minister he led Great Britain through the perils of World War II, and forever will be known for his courage, tenacity, leadership abilities.  In 1945 shortly after the conclusion of  World War II, he was defeated in his bid to remain as Prime Minister.  Despite his stature and service to his country, the voters felt he was not the right man to lead England during the post war years.

In California a man of considerably less aptitude attempts to return to Congress once again thanks to gerrymandering, voter ignorance, and political inertia.  At a time when fresh ideas and personalties are essential, will the 16th District send a vote of confidence to the 60 year old Pelosi drone and career politician?  One thing is clear, Churchill's political career would have been far more certain in the Golden State where once you’re in, baring death or voluntary retirement, political office is a tenured lifetime position. 

For every Jim Costa there are sagas of similar politicians from both parties who do not belong in Congress.  They wade through their careers building alliances, acting in self interest, and hoping to serve in perpetuity.  When you hear the name Costa, term limits and competitive Congressional redistricting sound awfully good. 

 

Mr. Jim Costa