The increased likelihood of global nuclear annihilation aside, this could be fabulous news for congress:

Word is that Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on strategic forces and a staunch superdelegate for presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, is in line for a top post at the State Department, most likely for the undersecretary for arms control and nonproliferation slot.

California's 10th Congressional District was specifically redistricted following the 2000 census for a progressive. While Tauscher quit the Blue Dogs two years ago in preparation for an expected primary, she is still chair of the DLC's New Democrat Coalition (run from her congressional office). Right now, CA-10 is wasted on a major obstacle to Barack Obama's agenda and sound economic policy. With six BART stations in district, a Special Election in the 10th could allow progressives from across the Bay Area to ensure we have a better Democrat.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists would probably have to move the Doomsday Clock a minute or two, but it would be almost impossible for the district to elect a worse representative. Odds are the district could get a good progressive who would be an asset to Obama and a partner for progress.