One of the best arguments for term limits is that we have reached the point where members of Congress are no longer “representatives” of their districts. The latest evidence of that came in this morning’s newspaper, which says Tom Delay will be on a Texas ballot in an upcoming election even though he has now declared himself to be a Virginian. Whether Delay wants to participate in that election or not, it is interesting that he has announced his status as a “Virginian” so fast. Or perhaps it’s not fast by modern standards.

Let’s see: Bob Dole returned to Russell, Kansas, to announce his candidacy for president. When he lost, he decided to live at the Watergate here in D.C. A few years later, his wife Elizabeth went to North Carolina to become a senator. The Clintons left Arkansas and are now New Yorkers. William Weld was governor of Massachusetts, but came down to New York to run for governor there. And there’s plenty more.

We need term limits before the next generation simply assumes that this is all perfectly normal and appropriate.