Reply #20: I know all about the importance of strong levees.

[Xithras]

I live just north of Modesto and the levees holding back the Stanislaus River a half mile away from me are the only things keeping my living room dry right now, so I understand the importance of having strong, well maintained levees. What I don't get is why she would make it her central campaign point. She was running for national office, but the only national topic I heard her discuss was Social Security...and even then her focus was on survivors benefits and not the elderly groups who are the most endangered by the Bush piratization plan.

Matsui is a Liebermanesque conservative Democrat, and I'm just disappointed that a solidly Democratic district like Sacramento couldn't round up and elect a more reasonable candidate. The entire Valley seems to be cursed with these "conservative Democrat" candidates though...you now have Matsui, I have Cardoza, and the rest of the Valley is dominated by other conservatives of both Parties. Not a genuine leftist in the bunch. Since Sacramento is the only solidly blue area in the entire Valley, it would have been nice to see you guys break that mold. Ah well, maybe next time.