Devin Nunes Still a Hero in California's Central Valley

GOP Rep. Devin Nunes will step down from the House Russia investigation, but he's still a hero in the Central Valley.

At LAT, "Washington may be shaking its head, but Devin Nunes is still a hometown hero":

Devin Nunes takes himself out of Russia investigation, at least temporarily. A look at his two worlds: https://t.co/tJKGYsOFj7

— Cathleen Decker (@cathleendecker) April 6, 2017

At home, Devin Nunes remains what he has always been, an auspiciously successful man who rose swiftly to unexpected heights, a man high school teachers point to when they tell kids in this often-overlooked place what is possible in this world.

Outside the farming community southeast of Fresno that has sustained him and his family for generations, though, many see the 14-year Republican congressman very differently — as a national symbol of political bungling or worse.

The House investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, which he heads, has stalemated. A senator from his party has acidly compared him to Inspector Clouseau, the bumbling French detective from the “Pink Panther” movies. Democratic leaders have accused him of working with the White House to divert attention from the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to derail Hillary Clinton’s candidacy. In much of official Washington, the mention of Nunes’ name prompts dismissive shakes of the head.

The two views of Nunes are impossible to reconcile, not that many in his district are trying to. In a region where troubles often take the form of drought or pestilence, his longtime constituents greet Nunes’ difficulties with a shrug, their faith in him undiminished...

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