# Which incumbent Do You Most Want to See Go Down in Flames? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 18, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492 "2008-10-18T03:35:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/21 "2008-10-18T15:24:02Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Murtha will die in office. Excellent news! I hadn’t heard anything about him being ill. (I am one of his racist Western Pennsylvanians:dubious:) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/22 "2008-10-18T15:59:42Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > Excellent news! I hadn’t heard anything about him being ill. Hah! He’ll live to be 105. I’m just sayin’…we western Pennsylvanians love our incumbents. A congressional seat from my old stomping grounds is like a rent-controlled apartment in Manhattan. The only way to get one is to scan the obituaries, and once you have it you’re holding onto it for life. ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/23 "2008-10-18T17:41:50Z")
Jim Inhofe ® OK, but it’s not looking good. HIs “campaign” has consisted of little but reasons why Andrew Rice is “Wrong For Oklahoma!!” Apparently, we have “Oklahoma values” which can’t be properly represented by a former missionary and aid worker married to a doctor (one of those “doctors without borders” pinko types). Only Jim Inhofe has been in Washington long enough to provide the “firm and steady hand” we need to get through these troubling economic times. All of this delivered with the horror movie background music and the voice of doom. doom doom!! Of course there is no mention of how his long years of service contributed to these troubling economic times. Mr. Rice has spent some of his money pointing out what a loyal, faithful servant Inhofe has been to the Bush administration, but too much has been wasted defending himself from character assassination and the distortions of his voting record in the House. Republicans have deep pockets in Oklahoma. And my fellow citizens? Well…bless their hearts, they just seem to feel that “We’re doin’ okay here, not like the rest of the country. You got to dance with who brung ya”. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/24 "2008-10-18T18:02:54Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Tim Mahoney - elected to replace Mark Foley. Looks like he’s now been caught paying hush money to a mistress, and she has him on tape committing what looks very much like sexual harassment. I can’t find the link, but Mahoney has gone from 25 points up to 25 points down in less than a week, so this wish looks like it is going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/25 "2008-10-18T18:05:35Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > He’s a Democrat. Remember that he’s **Sarahfeena** ’s pick. There has to be _some_ reasoning behind it… else why not just say ‘all Democrats up for re-election’ and have done with it? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/26 "2008-10-18T18:06:55Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > I can’t find the link, but Mahoney has gone from 25 points up to 25 points down in less than a week, so this wish looks like it is going to happen. And most of us Democrats are more than happy to throw this district back to the Repubs for a cycle if it’ll rid us of that pustulent boat anchor… Just because you’re a member of the Blue Dogs doesn’t mean you have to be a dog! ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/27 "2008-10-18T18:08:18Z")
Joy Padgett, for her scummy campaign calling rival Terry Anderson, former hostage, soft on terror. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/28 "2008-10-18T18:19:18Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > As far as Tim Mahoney goes, I think his district ought to be disenfranchised until they grow brains. First Foley, now him. Is that district filled with halfway houses for sex offenders or something? JOHN STEWART: Which explains the motto of Florida’s 16th District: “Where old Jews vote for perverted Irishmen.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/29 "2008-10-18T18:24:20Z")
Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) was gerrymandered into a long-term de facto incumbent term a number of years ago, but is basically just a country-club congressman. I doubt the constituents of his district (mine, in case you didn’t figure that out yet) will ever have the guts or wherewithal to vote his ass out of office, but the sooner the better. And, on the other side of the roll-call (and river), Corrine Brown (D-FL) probably needs to go as well. She has had a number of quasi-scandals over the years, but she never resigns and they keep voting her in anyway. Just make politically-biased gerrymandering illegal and these kinds of characters would have a much harder time getting elected in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/30 "2008-10-18T18:38:11Z")
[John Shadegg](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shadegg) is a typical disgusting Republican. It is time for him to go. Thankfully, he will probably be defeated this year. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/31 "2008-10-18T18:44:38Z")
Jim Moran. He’s not going to lose, but it would make me very happy. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/32 "2008-10-18T19:28:35Z")
> [@Enfant Terrible](#): > > There has to be _some_ reasoning behind it… else why not just say ‘all Democrats up for re-election’ and have done with it? My reasoning is that he’s one of the most liberal members of the senate…ranked THE most liberal in 2006. Despite Jayjay’s assessment of my opinions, I’m not automatically opposed to Democrats in general…I have voted for many in my day. But generally, I prefer moderates, and Durbin definitely doesn’t fit that description in my book. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/33 "2008-10-18T19:30:01Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > John Cornyn. Partially because the guy’s a Bush-supporting dick, and partially because I wanna see Texas turn blue. Ohhh, I’ll take both of them please. Never liked the former, and have an unintelligent 20$ bet on the latter (don’t ask). ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/34 "2008-10-18T19:48:14Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > My reasoning is that he’s one of the most liberal members of the senate…ranked THE most liberal in 2006. Despite Jayjay’s assessment of my opinions, I’m not automatically opposed to Democrats in general…I have voted for many in my day. But generally, I prefer moderates, and Durbin definitely doesn’t fit that description in my book. You know, my previous answer actually WAS an unfair cheap shot. You’re one of the more reasonable conservatives on the board, and I’m sorry I did that. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/35 "2008-10-18T19:54:09Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > My reasoning is that he’s one of the most liberal members of the senate…ranked THE most liberal in 2006. :rolleyes: And ranked only [13th most liberal in 2007](http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/lib_cons.htm?o1=lib_composite&o2=desc). Honestly, are people still buying into this _National Journal_ “most liberal” annual rankings crap? The scores vary so much from one year to another that I don’t see how anybody can expect to get any useful information out of them. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/36 "2008-10-18T20:02:10Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > :rolleyes: And ranked only [13th most liberal in 2007](http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/lib_cons.htm?o1=lib_composite&o2=desc). > > Honestly, are people still buying into this _National Journal_ “most liberal” annual rankings crap? The scores vary so much from one year to another that I don’t see how anybody can expect to get any useful information out of them. Maybe they could just do it on their website. You fill in a form telling them what state you’re in, and then they will list “most liberal” based on… 1. Current Democratic Presidential Frontrunner 2. Local Senate Democrats 3. Local House Democrats 4. Local Independents 5. Local disloyal ‘Bushies’. Some day we can just go ahead and do proxy voting. “I, the below signed, do hereby cast my votes as Richard Cheney directs”. It would be so much easier. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/37 "2008-10-18T21:35:29Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > 1. Michelle Bachmann (MN-6) Mean Jean is stone cold sober compared to the raving lunacy of this woman. Somehow thinks that calling for the investigation of fellow congressmen on charges of anti-Americanism is somehow pro-American. The Daily Kos community, reacting to Bachmann’s latest screed, [raised $438,000 for her opponent in less than a day](http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/18/2550/3286/381/634245). It was already a close race, so there’s a good chance that we may retire Bachmann this cycle. > [@Frostillicus](#): > > I can’t find the link, but Mahoney has gone from 25 points up to 25 points down in less than a week, so this wish looks like it is going to happen. [Here’s your link.](http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/17/153041/10/857/633761) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/38 "2008-10-18T23:09:10Z")
1. The Bachmann bitch 2. Ted Stevens for being corrupt and past his shelf life. 3. Don Young (R-AK) for the same reason. 4. Joe Lieberman for being the unscrupulous suck-up that he is. 5. Trent Lott for having a bad hairpiece. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/39 "2008-10-18T23:40:30Z")
Gregory Meeks of the 6th district in New York and Anthony Weiner of the 9th district of New York. I know nothing of their polices. I just have hangups about them carving out their districts in order to split the Russian vote. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492/40 "2008-10-18T23:47:18Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > 1. Trent Lott for having a bad hairpiece. He’s not an incumbent. He resigned last year so he could rush to K Street, and it looks like his seat may well be taken by a Democrat next year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-incumbent-do-you-most-want-to-see-go-down-in-flames/468492.md?page=3)