San Bruno fire (photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press)
One of the aims of California’s new primary rules was to foster civility in the electoral process―weeding out extreme elements by allowing the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, a spot on the general election ballot.
Whether the change has, indeed, stacked the ballot with more politically moderate candidates remains to be seen, but the claim to accentuating civility took a body blow during a debate between two Los Angeles-area Democratic candidates.
Veteran Congressmen Howard Berman and Brad Sherman, now competing for the same seat in the House, were having a spirited exchange before a raucous crowd last Thursday when the 57-year-old Sherman suddenly wrapped his arm around the shoulder of the smaller, 71-year-old Berman, jerked him close and shouted, “Do you want to get into this?”
Sherman released him after a brief embrace and a measure of civility returned. A video of the encounter was posted online.
Sherman and Berman were allied incumbents with similar constituencies and safe seats until redistricting put them on a collision course in the newly drawn 30th District. It has been a bruising contest, marked by character assaults, “BS Reports,” innuendos of illegality and downright nastiness.
Most observers would probably judge Sherman the more aggressive of the two during the campaign, especially early on. But Berman’s campaign, after taking an early high road, has gone a lot more negative since polls have shown him down by double digits.
While Sherman and Berman were not known to have been chummy in the past, they agreed on most issues and had similar voting records. The heated exchange that preceded the physical encounter was over Berman’s claim that he helped write the first Dream Act in 2001. Sherman disagreed vociferously.
But they both support the immigration legislation.
–Ken Broder
To Learn More:
A Debate in California Gets Physical (by Ian Lovett, New York Times)
Berman-Sherman Acrimony in 30th District Race Hits New Low Point (by Jean Merl, Los Angeles Times)
Southern California Congressman Regrets Grabbing Rival During Debate (by Michael R. Blood, Associated Press)
Democrat vs. Democrat in Congressional Race Puts Spotlight on Republicans (by Ken Broder, AllGov California)