Clearly, the V22 Osprey survives because of its friends in congress, not any intrinsic merit. However, Rep. Woolsey is especially concerned because the project is not only less efficient per dollar spent than existing alternatives to the V22 Osprey, but it continues in development with serious deficiencies that fail its assigned mission and take the lives of our servicemen.

The V22 Osprey is a model for the spending that bloats our defense budget, without tangible return to national security. For certain congressional factions, the Osprey has become “their” project”, and regardless of merit, “their project” will continue. Certainly, the contractor campaign donations will.

Defense Contractor Investment in the Best Congress Money Can Buy–
See– http://www.natlawreview.com/article/defense-contractors-look-return-investment-national-defense-authorization-act

Promoting long-term national economic recovery by trimming the Pentagon budget–
http://article.wn.com/view/2012/05/27/Pentagon_Spending_Killing_Job_Opportunities_Delaying_Recover/

Unfortunately, only Democrats have thus far officially announced their intention to run if/when she retires. None of them are persons for whom I would vote. No conservatives (Republican or otherwise) have announced any intentions to run yet. I think they are waiting until the final redistricting decisions are made.

Yes, she did indeed vote for an increase in the debt ceiling yesterday (see my brief post on that). In 2012 we have to vote for someone who possessed fiscal responsibility. The question is, who will come forward and run on that platform? The Democrats already in the race (assuming Lynn Woolsey retires) are just as irresponsible as she is. No one on the conservative side has announced yet, probably due to the uncertainty of redistricting and the new primary system.

While I support a clean extension of the debt limit, I recognize that our country faces immense fiscal and budgetary challenges. Overcoming these challenges will depend on how we responsibly cut government spending, reform our tax code, strengthen our social safety net, and invest in the economy and future generations. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership offered a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2012, H.Con.Res. 34, that would not balance the budget until after 2030, while permanently extending tax breaks for the wealthy. This budget resolution represents more of the same failed policies that have that have exploded our nation’s public debt and sent millions of jobs overseas. That’s why I cosponsored the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget alternative for Fiscal Year 2012, which would eliminate the deficit and create a multi-billion budget surplus by 2021.

As to who will run in 2012, assuming Lynn Woolsey retires, the two Dems who have already declared are Jared Huffman and Norman Solomon. Others on that side of the aisle also have expressed their interest. On the GOP side, no one as far as I know has made any commitments, largely, I think, due to the uncertainty about how the new congressional districts will be drawn.

Also interesting in that Gallup poll…seniors (age 65 and older) prefer Ryan’s budget to Obama’s 48% to 42%.