Last Gasp of Aging White Power

I was treated today to an interesting article by this author Tim Wise in Alternet.  The article was aimed at telling the Alternet audience that Tea Party members (whom Wise believes to be all older whites - I think white males but I can't be certain) might have won some seats in the most recent national election, but that was "it" for them.

Here he is.  He makes firebrandy statements on behalf of people of color.  He exhorts them to seize their moment.

I thought this is not necessarily a bad thing. Life is vibrant and people need to seize their moments. I couldn't help thinking, though, that Mr. Wise's statements were regarding the large number of new Republican office-holders in the most recent national election.  But it's awfully odd, as they weren't very old, not all white, and not all male.  A couple of young students I know had pointed up how elderly many of the Democratic leaders were.  Like, Jerry Brown seemed very old to them. Oh, and white.  They wondered how these older people could automatically expect the younger generation to think they represent "change"? This group stating they represent change is 100% white, and has been in political office for 3 decades, and sometimes, even longer. Jerry Brown (age 72) was mayor of a city with many people of color living in it - Oakland, CA.  One must presume that as has occurred here in my area, younger Democrat candidates of any ethnicity or gender who might have stepped forward did not - because if the former Governor and son of Edmund G. Brown, Sr., a many-decade-long dominant figure in California politics - wanted to be Mayor of Oakland, that's what he would get.

Democrat House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is often called a very courteous and nice man. This is very likely true, and he shouldn't be branded by his ethnicity, gender or age any more than anyone else.  By the same token, he is a 72-year old white man. I'm one of those who believes nothing is possible without mutual respect and purposeful, active listening to others before responding - I would listen to Rep. Hoyer and pay attention to his experience.  But I wouldn't say that he represented younger "people of color."  I don't think he would say that, either.

I already knew that Sen. Barbara Boxer was about to turn 70, and that she was significantly younger than her counterpart, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, is 77 years old.  Both are Caucasian; however, they are also coincidentally Jewish, which to some, including Congress itself, counts as a minority ethnicity. 

The Democratic US Senator from Hawaii, Daniel Kahikina Akaka is the only Chinese American in the US Senate, and also the first Senator of Hawaiian ancestry.  He is a Veteran of WW II and is 86 years old.  I grew up admiring his counterpart, Sen. Daniel Inouye, who according to his official biography, "got his start in politics in 1954 when he was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives."  I doubt it's thoroughly covered in school that there actually are people in current political office who were first elected before Hawaii became a state. Sen. Inouye is of Japanese-American descent and is the same age as the other "Dan" from Hawaii - 86 years old.  These two gentlemen account for the Asian "diversity" in the US Senate.

It is difficult to counter the simple Demographic facts regarding the U.S. national legislative composition by stating that the Democratic Party represents "young people of color," having been in power in the Congress since 2006, and in legislative power for the majority of the 20th Century and on into the 21st.  President Obama is black and was a US Senator prior to becoming President.  There were also 42 black Representatives in the most recent Congress - all Democrat.  There are only 25 of what they call "Hispanics," and not all of them are Democrat.  But . . . that's it.  And there has actually been a diminution of female representatives in recent years, and miniscule representation of others "of color."

According to educational organization/site ThisNation.com, "While the partisan composition of the Congress is fairly close to that of the electorate, there are larger disparities between the Congress and the general citizenry in term of sex and race."  The current Congress that will serve as "lame ducks" until the new Congress is sworn in in January is comprised of 357 men and 78 women in the House of Representatives, and in the Senate, 18 women and 82 men.  So on the House side, that's a ratio of nearly 4.6 to 1 male v. female, and in the Senate - the same - 4.6 to 1 male v. female.

Putting gender aside, there is one racial/ethnic group that sometimes counts as a "minority" and sometimes not, which would be status as a Jew.  As half a Jew, I can comment.  I think more often than not, Jewish ethnicity is not counted as "minority" status these days, and most non-Jews cannot tell who is a Jew or not unless it is overtly stated.  For example, I don't think many Americans are aware that Sen. Barbara Boxer is Jewish.  But she helps the gender/ethnicity balance in these official counts, because there are so few people of color in the US Congress that they basically have to segregate Jews out as a subset, or there would be - get this - less than 15% ethnic "minorities" or people of color.  Nationwide, 63% of the people are exclusively "white" or Caucasian; the Census still plays strange games regarding Hispanic/Latino, and their identifying as "white, Hispanic" or "black, Hispanic," etc.  Whatever reason this is, I do not know.  But that means 37% of US residents are "non-white" or "people of color."  More than one third of the US Congress should be "people of color," not 15%.  Gender balance as we know, is close to 50-50%, so the gender gap is remarkable.  Oh - if the 14 Jewish US Senators were not counted as "minorities," there would be 1 black, 2 "Hispanics" and 2 Asians in the Senate.  That's 5% - 5 out of 100.  I think this clearly shows that the Democratic Party has worked very hard to include "people of color" and women and with AMAZING results.  One "black" President, a female Secretary of State, and the pre-Statehood guys from Hawaii.

But I digress.  Clearly, this is all the "fault" of Republicans, Conservatives and the Tea Party, right?  I mean, they are the racists blocking others from stepping forward into leadership positions, providing input and diverse voices advocating for . . . let's see . . . what should it be?  I'll address the question of females and the rights of females in a free society.  Mr. Wise states, "There were those who wanted to take us back to a time when women could not vote, or attend any but a few colleges, or get loans in their own names, or start their own businesses."  Like . . . er . . . Woodrow Wilson, who had to be forced and shamed to advocate for the 19th Amendment after the US's tardy entry into the first World War.

Right now, I believe the general interest will be promoted by the election of independent-minded candidates who are not "career politicians."  I do think younger, more diverse candidates are needed, at all levels of government.  I think a free and honest exchange of ideas among people of good will is the best and only way we can strengthen the economy, help people get back to work, strengthen our education, environment and family and community life.  All of us are ill-served by career politicians whose priority is on their own interests and power. 

So let's see . . . back to the list of all those young, diverse people representing the Democratic Party today - standing for diverse opinions and people of color stepping forward:

• Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat, White, age 70, in office for 22 years
• Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Democrat, White, age 72, in office in the US House of Representatives since 1981 (29 years), and in politics since 1966, so almost as long as I've been alive - i.e. 44 years.
• Vice President (President of the Senate) Joe Biden, White, age 67 - a youngster! - serving in the U.S. Senate since January 3, 1973 - so 35 years, now 2 years into his term as Vice President.
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, White, Age 70, soon to turn 71 - member of the Senate since 1981, member of the House of Representatives 1983 to 1987 - so only 5 terms in the Senate, 2 in the House.  Sen. Reid has some claim to "minority" status, as he is a member of the LDS church.
• Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, White, age 65, very soon to turn 66 - a child! - serving in the US Senate since only 1997 - ONLY 13 YEARS!!  He was in the House for the preceding 14 years.  Still - a political newcomer - amazing, meteoric  . . . 27 years . . .
• Democratic Policy Committee Chair Byron Dorgan, White, age 68, serving in the Senate since only 1992, so only 18 years.  He's been in politics since . . . 1969 when he was 27 years old.  Fresh.  New.  Diverse.  He's from North Dakota.
• Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics Barbara Boxer, White, age 69, in the Senate for 18 years, in government for 30 years.
• They are all this way.  Among the younger senators is Washington's Patty Murray, who advertises herself as a "soccer mom in tennis shoes."  Patty narrowly defeated Dino Rossi in the most recent election.  She is a new, fresh, diverse face, 60 years old, and crushed Aging White Power to enter a 4th term in the US Senate, having offered a prior 18 years of service in that regard, just like Barbara Boxer.  Maria Cantwell, who serves with Patty Murray, is a whole eight years younger, and is only serving her second term in the Senate, and only served 4 years prior to that, so she's not even up into the 20-year category.  Fresh.  Diverse.  Representative.
• Also, I forgot Charles Schumer, who is only age 59, but who has served in politics for his party since he was 21 years old (1971).  Who could forget young, fresh, diverse Sen. John Kerry!  Soon to be 67, this "young at heart" diverse individual had the 2004 election stolen from him and his running mate, that young, diverse person of whiteness, John Edwards.  Sen. Kerry has been a fresh new voice in the US Senate since 1985. 

On a slightly different note, Sen. Kerry's first wife Julia Thorne (she passed away from cancer in 2006 - I'm not quoting this to make fun of her) wrote something that I think is very true regarding what has passed for "politics" in this country:  "After 14 years as a political wife, I associated politics only with anger, fear and loneliness".  This is a link to her 1993 book about recovering from depression, which has helped many people.

(Many, but not all, of the Republican Senators look this way too, except they are slightly younger, believe it or not).

Let's have a look at the US House of Representatives.  We already know it's "The People's House," and the Democrats allocated their top two positions in the 111th Congress by race and gender. 

• Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi - a female, age 70 (see above)
• Majority Whip James Clyburn - age 70, A BLACK MAN !!!!!, in office since 1993, which in the House is a stunning 9 consecutive terms counting the last election.  Rep. Clyburn has, however, served as a government representative (bureaucrat) at the state level since . . . hold on . . . 1971.  So - 40 years.  It's worth noting that his bio on Wikipedia is deficient and nowhere near as comprehensive as the white, old, male Senators (See: Wikipedia, racist and sexist).
• Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, John B. Larson - a youthful age 62, in office since ONLY 1999.  In Democratic politics since . . . wait for it . . . 1983.  I remember that year!  It was a short 28 years ago.
• Vice-Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Xavier Becerra - A LATINO MAN !!!!! and ONLY AGE 52!!!, and has only been in the House since 1993.  Wow.  Oh, wait.  He's been in Democratic politics as a staff member or representative at the State or Federal level since . . . 1980 - all of his adult working life.
• Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, white, age 78, and will retire from his service to the United States after over 30 years this coming January 3rd.  I think Mr. Skelton seems like a very nice man.

Mr. Skelton will be succeeded in the US House of Representatives by Vicky Hartzler, a Missouri Republican who did serve 5 years in the Missouri House of Representatives (1995-2000) before taking time off to care for her adopted daughter, a baby at the time.  Vicky grew up on a farm, and has been a junior high and high school teacher and farm equipment dealer.  This 50-year old wife and mother probably will experience attacks soon due to her stance against gay marriage and existence as a female Republican, the first in her area of Missouri since 1955, and only the second Republican elected there since 1924. As you can see, Ms. Hartzler's husband is also "white," and they have two big dogs - looks like an Irish setter and a golden retriever.  Her little girl is only about 10 years old, so that shouldn't stop freedom-fighter activists from decrying her adoption, stating Vicky shouldn't serve in the Senate with a child at home, throwing things at her such as feces, or screaming "s***!!!"  and "b****!" at her mother.  What I have to say to Vicky and the others of her Class of 2010 is:  men and women have given their lives freely for our freedom.  It's the least we can do to serve our country to stand up to the type of treatment meted out to silence and threaten.  Isn't it interesting who is doing the work for these elderly individuals so they can "stay in power"?

Oh!  OK, back to the Party of the Diverse Future . . .

• Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Collin C. Peterson, white, age 66 - in the House since 1991 - only 19 years!  But in politics in Minnesota since 1971.  That's the spirit, Collin.
• Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Dave Obey (pronounced "Obie" I think), white, age 72.  He's been in the House since 1969 - 41 years, and in politics for nearly 50 years even though his occupation is listed as "realtor."  By coincidence, Mr. Obey is the SAME EXACT AGE as my Congresswoman, Maxine Waters (a black woman).  I had never heard of Mr. Obey before last year, when I learned that Mr. Obey went out of his way to cut some of the few earmarks Rep. Waters had ever made in her long tenure as a representative of one of the poorest communities in America.  In particular, Mr. Obey saw to it that a badly-needed $1 million appropriation for the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, which she helped start in Watts while a state representative, and which serves 100% "people of color" excellently, was cut - for the sole reason that it bore her name.  But these fresh, new, bold and diverse individuals supporting people of color - you know how it goes.  This is the party of the future!  Mr. Obey stepped down.  He was succeeded by a white guy . . .

Sean Duffy - age 39.  Sean is the next-to-youngest of a family of 11 children, and a former ESPN commentator and was also part of the cast of MTV's "The Real World" and "Road Rules."  He also competed in logrolling at the National Lumberjack Championships.  He is married to Rachel Campos, who starred in a season of "The Real World" that I totally watched, the one with Pedro and Puck.  Rachel I now recall is the girl who couldn't handle Pedro being HIV-positive at first, and who also liked the utterly disgusting bicycle messenger, Puck.  Things eventually worked out with her coming to understand Pedro and accept his gayness and HIV-positive status.  A lot of people learned through the whole situation on the show that year. 

I don't think Sean will care about being attacked by people like Mr. Wise.  As for Rachel - first off, they have six children!!  She is busy!!  And second, if she made it through Puck in one piece (she did), nothing these losers will say matters.  It says she tried out several times to be on "The View."  I wish she had made it.  Does it seem like Sean and Rachel could be Roman Catholics?  Yes, they are. There are 1.2 billion Roman Catholics worldwide. As all know, since many Catholics and others in Bible-based churches such as myself cannot endorse practices such as abortion, we are automatically biased, racist representatives of the White Male Dominated Power Structure.  No matter what our gender, age, color or country of origin. 

But on to the more of the voice of People of Color, Freedom and the Future, the Democratic Party.

• Chairman of the House Budget Committee, John Spratt from South Carolina, white, age 68, in office since 1983, only 28 years.  Mr. Spratt did not win his bid for re-election.  He was defeated by Republican . . .

Mick Mulvaney - darn it, Mick!  You're Irish, white and Catholic!  Troika (Racist Retard Killer!)  Age 43, a father of triplets, Mick has been participating in politics for a lengthy total of 3 years.  After practicing law for five years, he has worked in his family's real estate and home building business.  Clearly, Mick pushed Diverse Young Person of Color John Spratt aside in this desperate last gasp of aging white power.  We need Mr. Spratt back, to represent the interests of the diverse people of color whose vital interests in strong education and labor policy is represented by . . .

• Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, George Miller, white, 65 years young (and I happen to know, a pal of Speaker Pelosi), defending the rights of diverse people of color in Congress since 1975.  Yes.  35 solid straight years, and he's a Washington, DC property owner, currently renting to Congressional Persons of White Color, tenants Charles Schumer, Dick Durbin and Bill Delahunt.  According to Wikipedia, Rep. Miller "a superdelegate in the Democratic Party's 2008 presidential primary, pledged his support to Barack Obama despite the fact that his district voted for Hillary Clinton."
• Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, well-known here in the Los Angeles area, Henry Waxman, white (if you have Jewdar . . . guess what his ethnicity/religious preference is), age 71, in Democratic politics for over 40 years, and in the House in various districts in the Los Angeles area, never skipping a moment of "action," since 1975.  
• Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, Barney Frank, white male (but GAY !!!!!!), age 70, a member of the House for only a short 29 years, and only in Democratic politics since 1968.  Fresh.  Young.  Oh wait - that's the guy in his townhouse.  
• Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Howard Berman, white (think again . . . try your Jew . . . Dar), age 69, member of the House since 1983 - only 28 years.  He is a really good friend of Henry Waxman (see above) - since before they were in Congress together. He's been in LA Democratic machine politics since the Cretaceous.
• Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie G. Thompson, BLACK!!!!!, only age 62.  Rep. Thompson is from Mississippi, and out of all the committee chairs I've reviewed so far, seems like a great person, who is truly qualified based on his experience with natural disasters (Katrina) and study of the issues related to Homeland Security.
• Chairman of the House Committee on House Administration, Robert A. "Bob" Brady, white, age 65 - Rep. Brady bid to be the Mayor of Philadelphia in 2007, but was unsuccessful. In the House since only 22 years (since 1988), I'll let Wikipedia cover Rep. Brady's representation of young, diverse viewpoints and his entry into politics in 1968, "When his wardleader, City Council President George X. Schwartz was convicted and imprisoned in the Abscam scandal, Brady was elected to succeed him as Democratic Leader of the 34th Ward, a position that he still holds."
• Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, John Conyers, BLACK!!!!!, age 81 - he has been in the House since 1964, longer than anyone except John Dingell, who was nearly unseated in the 2010 election.  Rep. Conyers might be 81, but has a reputation as a very active, involved advocate for his views, and unlike some others - he wants to connect to people via new media by being a regular contributor to new media sites like the Daily Kos and Huffington Post.
• Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Nick Rahall, II, white, only age 61, and has been providing fresh, new perspectives on diversity in the House since 1977.  Prior to his election to the House in the pre-computer age, Rep. Rahall was employed as a staff aid to recently deceased Defender of Diversity, former W. Virginia ByrdState Senator and National Institution, Robert C. Byrd.
• Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Ed Towns, BLACK!!!!!, age 76 - he is somewhat controversial due to his "rivalry" with the Rev. Al Sharpton.
• Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, Louise M. Slaughter, white, but a FEMALE!!!!! - she's 81 years old and has been in the House "only" since 1987.  23 years?  She's just getting started.
• Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, Bart Gordon, white, only age 61!!!  Bart is reported to be the fastest runner in the House of Representatives, a Methodist from Murfreesboro, TN.  I like these facts about him.  After only serving a brief 25-year period (taking Al Gore's seat!) he stepped aside and did not run for reelection in 2010.  I do think I like Bart.

By stepping aside, Bart Gordon gave an opening for others to step in.  The winner of last week's electoral contest, with a total of 69% of the popular vote, is pictured here:  Diane Black.  Diane is not super-young.  She is 59 years old, and worked as a nurse for 40 years.  I have been typing and researching these mini-bios all evening, and Diane is the person I've found so far that has had a job OUTSIDE POLITICS for the longest period of time.  Her closest "outside politics" competitor is one of the other newcomers, Mick Mulvaney, who worked in his family's real estate and construction business.

This self-identified Conservative and former ER Nurse also has a lifetime of community service in her background, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, the United Way of Middle Tennessee, Rotary and other civic organizations.  Clearly there is no room in the House of Representatives for a nurse-volunteer with tons of experience with down-to-earth people. With what she's seen and experienced in the ER (and also as a nurse-educator) a few screeching maniacs won't bother Congresswoman-Elect Diane Black.

• Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, Nydia M. Velasquez, PUERTO RICAN LATINA!!!!!!!, only age 57!!! - Nydia brings a strong perspective on working families and a great education to her role, and has only been in the House of Representatives for 17 years, since 1993.  She got her start working for Ed Towns (see above).  This really shows "diversity" - because Ed is black and you have two people serving as Senate Committee chairs who are not only from almost the same part of the country (Greater NYC), one worked for the other before he brought her along.  Fresh.  New.  Diverse.
• Zoe Lofgren is the current chair of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.  That organization began ethics proceedings against the bicoastal bad-boy and girl Charles Rangel and Maxine Waters prior to the November election.  Ms. Lofgren is a Caucasian female who is only 62 years old, and has only been in Congress since 1995.  
• Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, James Oberstar, white, age 76.  Rep. Oberstar, who will be leaving the U.S. Congress on January 3, 2011, is the longest-serving Minnesotan in either house of Congress, having been in office since 1975.  By my count, that's 35 years and prior to that, he was a Congressional staffer and language instructor.  He is fluent in French and obtained part of his education in France, which makes him one of the only multilingual national legislators I've read about so far.  Gee, and you know how all people in all other foreign countries automatically hate all Republicans and especially Conservatives - and follow US politics so much . . . um . . . gee, former President George W. Bush was bilingual English/Spanish and spoke some Chinese.  I wonder how somebody with Troika could learn all that?  Oh, well, back to former Diversity Leader Oberstar who speaks French: I also want to give him props for being "a champion of creating trails for cycling and hiking to promote healthy living and more active lifestyles."  I like those types of trails.  

That said, the fresh, diverse and young viewpoint of 76-year old Jim Oberstar was "inexplicably" defeated (I'm quoting a news report) in his bid for a 19th term in the US House of Representatives by 50-year old retired USN and Northwest Airlines pilot Chip Cravaack.  Chip's six and eight year old sons attend public school, and his wife has an MBA.  Chip's modest campaign website says that he "believes in Minnesota, the work ethic of the people, the educational opportunities, the focus on the family and the abundant outdoor activities . . . .These are the qualities that made him love this part of the country and why he decided to make Minnesota his home."  So, here we have a set of values clearly only important to Aging White Power Enthusiasts:

1. work ethic
2. educational opportunities
3. focus on family
4. abundant outdoor activities

After that, you know, it's Bible, guns and dragging people of color behind your truck . . .

On to more diverse, fresh "people of pale color" . . . 

• Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Bob Filner, White, a 68-years-young former Professor, education board member and lifelong politician from the San Diego, CA area (Chula Vista).  Only in Congress since 1993, Rep. Filner has been in politics since 1979.  If you went to my high school reunion, you'd know for a fact - that was a long time ago.  He's locked in bitter rivalries with "men of color" from his own party and district, and so far - has bested the challengers.

I have an interesting question - exactly what vintage is this picture of Rep. Filner?  I'm guessing 1985.

• And last, but far from least, the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Sander or "Sandy" M. Levin, white, age 79 (Jew-Dar for non-Jews - beep beep beep note the last name).  Rep. Levin has served in the US Congress since 1983 and is the OLDER BROTHER of Senator Carl Levin.  He started in Democratic politics in 1965 and is one of the few I've researched who served as a bureaucrat in the Executive branch only to return to the legislature later on. Rep. Levin was the Assistant Administrator of the Agency for International Development (USAID) from 1977 to 1981 (who was President then?  Oh!  Yes - President Carter).

But Mr. Levin's demanding job formerly belonged to a BLACK MAN, Representative Charles Rangel, who stepped aside from that position in March of this year.  80-year old Rep. Rangel has represented Harlem in the US Congress since 1971, so nearly 40 years.  He is currently under ethics investigation, which did NOT originate in his opponents "across the aisle," but within his own party.  I am sure the underlying motives were to stop the Last Gasp of Aging White Power by prosecuting octogenarian Rep. Rangel and 72-year old opposite-coast representative of one of America's highest-poverty districts - Rep. Maxine Waters.  Both are "people of color" in case you don't know. 

* * * * *

I should state for the record that it bugs me to purposely identify people by their race, and deliberately list their ages, and I don't feel that older people have less to contribute.  Their wisdom is valuable and needed.  I'm really just responding to the assertion of the white male author Tim Wise.  He asserted that those who won in this past election represented the "last gasp of aging white power."

Well, none of us are getting any younger.  As to skin color accusations, I'll always remember how to this day, many people do not believe that Michael Jackson's skin turned white due to the skin pigmentation disorder, Vitiligo.  Michael is the best person to speak to "skin color," I think.

Let's see - +5 Hispanic Republicans in the House of Representatives from Texas alone (note - somewhat racist article commentary).  Here is the HRT website.

So for these last gasps of aging white power, in the U.S. Senate, 39-year old Marco Antonio Rubio will take his seat as the Republican Senator from Florida on January 3, 2010.  Marco has been in politics since 2000, as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.  Marco's wife Jeannette is Colombian and a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader.  They have two daughters and two sons.  Marco has been very clear about who he is and where he comes from.  I don't know how many average people will believe the troika attacks: racist, retarded, murderous.  He's not only nice and polite, he's married to a beautiful cheerleader and he's been this successful at only age 39.

Here is Susana Martinez, 51-year old former District Attorney, law-enforcement wife and Governor-Elect of New Mexico.  Many people becoming involved in Republican/Conservative political efforts at this time are in Susana's age range (including myself).  We had lives, but we have seen that people must step forward to serve our communities and we care enough to do that.  Susana was recipient of "dirty campaigning," but was able to win her election, succeeding Democrat Bill Richardson, who was the self-identified first Hispanic governor in the Continental U.S. when he was elected in 2003 - he stated that constantly, and of course, Susana as the first Latina (and"real" too - check out Mr. Richardson's parentage some day) to be elected as a Governor in the U.S., is receiving no coverage of any type and unlikely to receive any coverage except Troika Accusations.  I also find it humorous that former Gov. Richardson apparently stated for years he'd been drafted to play pro baseball, but this was untrue and he wasn't caught-out until 2005.  His mother was of Spanish (as in "Spain") descent, and basically - I figured the guy was a big blowhard.  And he was.  Is.

Fourteen African-American Republican candidates ran for Congress this November, and two won, 49-year old Allen West from Florida, a retired career military officer with genuine combat service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 45-year old insurance and real estate professional Tim Scott from South Carolina. 

Allen West went to WAR COLLEGE!  My belief is that he will be the first US Representative with that education, combat experience and his level of command experience to serve in the House of Representatives - since - I don't know when! 

Moving forward, we have 38 year-old incoming South Carolina Governor Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa Haley.  Nikki was educated as an accountant and received her degree from Clemson University, and has served on dozens of local and statewide boards and committees.  Her parents are Sikh immigrants from India, Dr. Ajit and Raj Randhawa.  Nikki now attends both Methodist and Sikh religious services.  Because she was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and has been active in the Tea Party in addition to dozens of local volunteer causes, this beautiful wife, mother and public servant is certain to soon experience the special treatment afforded to former Gov. Palin, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, and former Senate candidates Christine O'Donnell and Sharron Angle.  Nikki was already falsely accused by some Democratic operative with no life of having a sexual relationship with former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford.  Well, Mark Sanford WAS cheating when he went off to hike the Appalachian trail, but not with Nikki.  Ex-Mrs. Sanford, the highly-respected Jenny, endorsed Nikki in her run for the US Senate.

As to age, I don't think any of the new Republican governors are much over age 50, if any.  The average age of the 61 new House of Representative members is under 45.  

Let's Troika these representatives of Aging White Power: 

34-year old Republican Martha Roby was elected in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District.  A mother of two, she has a degree in music from NYU and a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law. Clearly, a mouth-breathing retard who wants to send all POC (People of Color) to work in the fields as slaves.

44-year old farmer Andy Vidak has white hair and looks older than me (he's not) and was elected to represent California's 20th Congressional District in the Central Valley.  Andy can't help being white or from Visalia I guess.  He is going to go to Congress to try to turn the water back on in the valley, so everyone regardless of color can go back to work and the rest of us can eat.  The fish debacle destroyed sustainable and traditional farms and orchards alike.  Let this be a lesson:  when the battle is between a person working to earn money by growing sustainable food responsibly, and a 1-inch bait fish living in a man-made canal - the fish swims.  For the time being, that is.

42-year old Raul Rafael Labrador will be representing Idaho's 1st Congressional District.  Raul is clinging to power, his Bible and his Gun as a tea party member - except he's a native of Puerto Rico, raised by a single mother. He has a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University. He is a small businessman and is the owner and managing partner of a law firm.

Those are just a few of the successful Republican/Conservative candidates this past election.  Average age:  38.  Republican candidates have no more chance than Democratic challengers in "safe" Democrat districts in "Machine" urban areas.  Just ask Adam Clayton Powell, IV.  He couldn't even win the Primary for the seat his own father held years before . . . the seat held by 80 year-old ethics-accused Charlie Rangel, who must have really gone overboard to have called down this type of attention after so many years.  When people stop accepting these situations, corrupt octogenarians saying they represent young people, that will be the "Last Gasp of Aging White Power."