http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041107/OPINION02/411070334Article published Sunday, November 7, 2004
Konop's impressive showing
We won't pretend that a loss by 18 points in a congressional race is a victory, but if U.S. Rep. Michael Oxley isn't concerned about challenger Ben Konop's impressive showing against him on Tuesday, he's even more distant from his 4th District constituency than we thought.
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What makes Mr. Konop's performance even more impressive is that this was a year in which Mr. Oxley's traditional Republican constituency turned out in substantial numbers, which made his challenger's climb even steeper.
Mr. Konop figures he was outspent 15 to 1. Yet he attracted four votes in 10 even though the Democratic Party gave him little help, a vivid reminder of the game that both parties play when they gerrymander, accommodate each other, and choose not to compete in congressional districts.
America deserves better than that. America deserves 435 vigorously competitive House races every two years. We've got to believe there are at least 435 Ben Konops out there, and when more of them step up to the challenge, there will be fewer "safe" seats in Congress.
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posting separately, but thought you'd like to see that.