I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and speaking at length with a candidate for congress last weekend. As it happens, he is challenging the incumbent in my district -- Howard Berman, a Democrat. His name is Byron DeLear, and he's running as a member of the Green Party, while pledging to vote with the Democrats in the House.
After much consideration and study of the issues, however, I have to say that, despite DeLear's charismatic persona and, admittedly, near-perfect stances on the issues about which I care the most, I will still be voting for Howard Berman this year.
Berman regrets voting for the IWR, but believes, while recognising the irony, that we cannot leave now without condemning Iraq to total annihilation.
I disagree STRONGLY with that conclusion, but frankly, despite his serious shortcomings in this and a few other areas, I have to say my earlier opinion of Howard Berman still stands: he votes the right way (MY way) more consistently than almost any other elected Democrat in Congress.