Blue Dog down

How come nobody is calling Rep. Dennis Cardoza a quitter?

Is it because the Atwater Congressman said “sensitive family needs” compelled his immediate resignation? Sarah Palin had a lot of familly drama when she resigned the governorship of Alaska; she was roasted as a flake.

“In light of the fact that nothing is going to happen for the rest of the year, and in light of the fact that (my wife) and I are facing increasing parenting challenges, this seemed the right time to make this move,” Cardoza said in an interview Monday.

OK, so the Cardoza family includes two teenage foster children. Teenagers can be a handful. Foster teenagers may be even more difficult to keep from running riot.

But if, as Cardoza says, “nothing is going to happen for the rest of the year,” why quit congress?

Just asking.

I suspect Cardoza’s resignation has as much to do with being fed up with partisan gridlock as with parenting. He has repeatedly complained that polarized congres members can’t reach compromises. And he has been remarkably critical of President Obama’s failure to help the economically devastated Valley.

When you are marginalized for being reasonable, it’s understandable that you may seek the exit. Still this Valley desperately needs political advocacy. It will not get it from Cardoza’s empty seat.

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    Michael Fitzgerald

    Mike Fitzgerald is The Record’s award-winning metro columnist. His column runs in the paper three times a week. Born in San Francisco, he was raised in Stockton. His column covers diverse beats including, sometimes, the offbeat. Read Full
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