Jane Harman Leaves Our District High and Dry

Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) announced Tuesday that she plans to resign her recently won congressional seat to run the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. 

Harman's timing could have been better. The next two years are critical for determining whether or not we progress or regress as a country. President Obama has had just two years to try to turn around the disasters of the Bush Administration. After the midterm Congressional rout, Obama's chances for relection hang by a thread.

Harman was elected to Congress from our district nine times. As a moderate centrist Harman has had the ability to reach across the aisle and help shape consensus in what has been an increasingly polarized Congress.

Instead of staying in Congress where Harman's experience and leadership could have been put to good use, the vacancy will prompt at least one more probably with very low turnout, on a date that is yet to be determined. We get to pay for that.

In addition, Venice and the rest of Harman's constituents will lose influence, because Congress puts a premium on seniority which our new representative won't have.

If Congress had become too much for her, Harman  could've have opted not to run last year and simply used her $160 million to spend her days on the beach across from her ocean view Venice home.

However, I'm sure that we'll keep hearing about the Harmans. Our congresswoman's husband, Sidney at the age of 91, recently bought Newsweek magazine, so we can expect these politically engaged Venetians to be involved in shaping the country’s political dialog for years to come.

Although we will miss her hands on role in government, we wish Harman well.