I've had it with Dan Boren. On Thursday Boren was one of two Democrats to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act, which makes it easier for workers to unionize. The other Democrat was Gene Taylor of Mississippi, whose district is one of the reddest in the country to be represented by a Democrat.
To an outsider, Boren's OK-3 district might look pretty red as well. A Democrat who shares my big tent vision of conservatives, moderates and progressives united as one might feel inclined to excuse Boren's egregious voting record. While this district has sadly shifted red in presidential elections, at the state and local level, Democrats still dominate. Furthermore, this is a hotbed for populism and congressman like Boren who votes against blue collared workers is not a good fit. On state question 695, which unfortuantely brought the anti-union "right to work" laws to our state, the vast majority of Boren's district ....voted against the state question
Boren's Dismal First Term: 109th congress
Boren replaced Brad Carson whose decesion to run for Senate in 04 opened up this seat. With only a two year political carreer as a one term member of the state house under his belt, Boren announced his intention to run for Carson's seat. The son of David Boren, the current University of Oklahoma President and former Democratic Senator and Governor from Oklahoma, little Danny knew the seat was his if he wanted it. Progressive Democrats, however, did not back down from giving Boren a challange first. Kalyn Free ran and managed to draw 36% against Boren's 46%.
In this primary, the vast majority of labor contributions went to free while businesses, realizing that they couldn't get a Republican elected in this district, went to Boren. While women's groups such as Emily's list and enviornmental activsts poured money into the Free campaign, Boren received almost nothing from these groups.
Boren's support from big business vastly outnumbers his labor contributions in both 2004 and 2006 cycles. He has steadfast support from corporate fat cats for many reasons in addition to his anti-union voting record.
Last congress, he was one of unfortunately many Democrats who joined Joe Barton in trying to get rid of net neutrality. Furthermore, he garnered an ambysmal 17% score from the League of Conservation Voters, making him one of the most anti-enviornment Democrats in the House.
I could go on and on about various roll calls where Boren has not been on our side but I have a life. Seriously, that's how long it would take.
Pelosi Controversy
You might remember Boren making headlines just before the 110th convened when he suggested that he would not vote for Pelosi for speaker. AT first, it appeared that he wanted to run against Pelosi himself. One of the most impressive aspects of the 2006 campaign our message of unification against the GOP. By even suggesting that he would not vote for Pelosi is the ultimate form of disloyalty and fractures the importance of a united Democratic caucus.
Possible Challangers
Kalyn Free was a great candidate. To come within eleven percentage points of the Boren dynasty is something she should be very proud of. Still, I don't think she fits the profile of an ideal primary opponent for Boren.
I think we need to look local. Very local. Let's look at some of the small town mayors and city council members who are true blue populists that would receive big labor support in a primary. While this district is home of the yellow dog, it is socially conservative. I think looking at state legislators would be a mistake. First of all, most of them are already very close to the Boren family and would be completely unwilling to run against Dan. A local populist firebrand is definitely the way to go.