Springtime for T110 and the Americas

The_Chieftain:   Also on politics, the open primary system in Caifornia has just struck another blow Gainst the establishment. In the somewhat left-leaning east San Francisco Bay Area (I.e still blue, but not SF levels), a centrist democrat has just beaten out a more left-leaning one in a special election. The Democratic Party and the unions, i.e. The two traditional huge power brokers in California wanted Bonilla, the left-leaning one. She was heavily defeated by Glazer, the moderate who has taken a somewhat less Union-friendly stance recently. (At least, where public transport unions are concerned).     The Republican candidate finished fourth, after three other democrats, but in the run-off, the democrat voters, who are a plurality in the district, had a choice between the left and the centrist. Democrat who leaned centrist voted their way, and may well have been fewer than those who voted for Bonilla, but the centrists were joined by a large number of Republicans and Independents who preferred Glazer.   Democratic Party are now blaming the Republicans for upsetting their election.    This is seems to be the best likely solution to the current trend of extremism. Seats in California are no longer safe for the individual, but they are still safe for the party. California as a State remains firmly blue, but the depth of that blue is turning to a more centrist position as politicians are starting to realize that their election depends on their position, not just the letter after their name which is provided by adherence to the party.