Our old friends Howard Berman and Brad Sherman. CA-30 is 47.9% Democratic/25.7% Republican. This is a change from 48.8% Democratic/25.4% Republican a year ago. These two veterans have spent years winning Democrats in the San Fernando Valley. They know both of them and probably few of them are up for grabs. Turning out their base will be important but there are far more voters up for grabs who voted for Republicans in past elections.
Howard Berman has been racking up endorsements from DC insiders. Republican DC insiders. People like Lindsay Graham and John McCain rarely provide endorsements in House races and never between two Democrats. An endorsement is a big chip and usually given with the understanding that the lawmaker will have the candidate's loyalty in the future. What's in it for Graham and McCain? Berman's is very well regarded in foreign policy, especially Israel. Some foreign policy initiatives can be bi-partisan. So Graham and McCain may be counting on Berman in the future.
Chuck Todd is reporting that Brad Sherman is taking another route.
That's a smart move by Sherman. Of course he made the vote for different reasons than why the Tea Party is opposed to TARP. In the new California political world why doesn't matter. It's just the vote. It's worth noting that McCain, Graham, and Lieberman aren't highly thought of by the Tea Party.
Both politicians were rebuffed in their efforts to get an endorsement from the San Fernando Valley Republican Club. They also went to RPLAC, hoping for the county Republican party's endorsement. Some were considering it, until it was pointed out that RPLAC rules state that they can only endorse Republicans. I've talked to people who were upset that RPLAC would even consider an endorsement.
This race is definitely up in the air.
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