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Daniel Livingston's Blog

Daniel Livingston's Blog

Red in a Sea of Blue

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Why the tizzy in the 12th doesn’t matter

Look, when you think about it, the 12th Congressional District is going to be an afterthought soon enough. When the redistricting is completed based on the 2010 census (which, by the way, came in the mail this week), that district is the one most likely to be eliminated. This is the reason why Democratic leaders were smart to choose Mark Critz for the nomination over Barbara Hafer.

Someone like Critz probably lacks political aspirations beyond this seat. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. But, someone like Hafer or Mark Singel might seek a primary challenge against whoever would absorb that seat in redistricting. Quite frankly, knowing the national picture, the Democrats would be wise to eliminate that seat and keep their safe ones in the southeast.

This move was the smart one for Democrats.

share001btn Why the tizzy in the 12th doesnt matter

March 9, 2010 at 11:39 am

--Daniel Livingston

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  1. STEELBLITZ1

    Mar 9th, 2010

    LOL….

    The party leaders eliminated this seat alright… vote for the tax man!

    having a strong candidate could have helped the dems beat murphy later…

  2. Marylou

    Mar 9th, 2010

    Well, I think it is interesting that the person who wins the SPECIAL election will have slightly more seniority than anyone new coming in January (being that they will have served out the remainder of Murtha’s term.)

    You realize they target the least senior seat for redistricting, so in the 12th it might be MORE imperative for Critz to win all three races (special, primary, and general.)

  3. Adam

    Mar 10th, 2010

    I can think of a few thousand people that this race matters to: the constituents of the 12th District who are without a Congessman! Sometimes there’s more than just a national party angle to things, Daniel. Try to remember that actual people are affected by politics.

    Also, Since this seat is basically crammed in between Tim Murphy’s (R) 18th and the Shuster Family’s (R) 9th, whoever wins will probably be pitted in a Holden-Gekas style member against member electioin in 2012. What makes you think that any Democratic incumbent, Critz or otherwise, would just step aside at that point? What would they have to lose by trying? Everyone said that Holden was dead in the water in 2002, and look how that turned out.

  4. JOE VOD VARKA FOR SENATE

    Mar 13th, 2010

    Joe Vod Varka wants to save Christmas

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