(Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy waters

[jimpeel]

Another one bites the dust.

SOURCE

Dorgan says he will not seek re-election in 2010

By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer – Tue Jan 5, 6:32 pm ET

WASHINGTON – North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan says he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2010, a surprise announcement that could give Republicans an opportunity to pick up a seat from the Republican-leaning state.

Dorgan, who was first elected to the Senate in 1992 after serving a dozen years in the U.S. House, said he reached the decision after discussing his future with family over the holidays.

The moderate Democrat said he has other interests he wants to pursue.

Republican Gov. John Hoeven has been mulling a possible challenge to Dorgan and the veteran lawmaker's retirement could clear the path for the popular governor. Democratic Rep. Earl Pomeroy could be interested in seeking the seat.

 

[jimpeel]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

SOURCE

Dorgan to retire

North Dakota Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan will not run for re-election later this year, creating a major pickup opportunity for Republicans.

"After a lot of thought I have made the very difficult decision that I will not be seeking reelection in 2010, " Dorgan wrote in a memo to staff distributed this afternoon. "This decision is not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with my work in the Senate, nor is it connected to a potential election contest next fall (frankly, I believe if I were to run for another term I would be reelected)."

Dorgan was facing a potentially serious re-election race against Gov. John Hoeven (R) in November. He was first elected to the Senate in 1992 and, despite the clear GOP lean of the state, hadn't faced a serious re-election challenge since then.

Dorgan is the first Democratic senator to announce his retirement this cycle. Six Republican senators, in Florida, Ohio, Missouri, New Hampshire, Kansas and Kentucky, are not running for re-election in 2010.

"Senator Dorgan should be very proud of his more than 30 years of devoted service in the United States Congress and to the people of North Dakota," President Obama said in a statement.

While Dorgan insisted his decision had nothing to do with political calculations, his retirement is likely to have considerable impact on the national landscape -- coming less than a month removed from similar retirement announcements by four Democrats sitting in conservative districts.

"This development is indicative of the difficult environment and slumping approval ratings that Democrats face as a result of their out of control tax-and-spend agenda in Washington, and we fully intend to capitalize on this opportunity by continuing to recruit strong candidates who can win these seats in November," said Brian Walsh, communications director at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Democrats acknowledged privately that Dorgan's decision was a significant blow although they quickly pivoted to note that the party would field a candidate. The only obvious name for Democrats is Rep. Earl Pomeroy who has held the state's at-large seat since 1992 when Dorgan ascended to the Senate.

Hoeven would be the strongest candidate for Republicans and, although he had long been somewhat ambivalent about a run for Senate, might be swayed given the fact he would enter the race as a strong favorite.

By Chris Cillizza | January 5, 2010; 6:00 PM ET

 

[jimpeel]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

After the recent savaging he received during his monthly appearance on Mike Rosen's Show (850 KOA Denver) it is no wonder Ritter is fleeing for the nearest door.

SOURCE

Colorado Governor Ritter to retire

Updated 10:17 p.m.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) will not seek a second term this fall, according to Democratic sources briefed on his decision.

Ritter was elected in a landslide in 2006, and his state's capital, Denver, hosted the Democratic National Convention and the presidential nomination of Sen. Barack Obama in 2008.

But Ritter's political fate has dipped considerably in the intervening years, and he faced an extremely difficult re-election race against former Rep. Scott McInnis (R) in November.

The Denver Post reported that Ritter has scheduled an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday. Numerous sources close to the governor told the Denver paper that he will announce his decision then.

Ritter's campaign manager did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

"Bill Ritter was literally the weakest incumbent in nearly 50 years and his own party was unenthusiastic at best for his reelection," said Colorado Republican party chairman Dick Wadhams. "Colorado has certainly changed from that heady day at Invesco Field."

Democrats are likely to turn to either former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff or Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to replace Ritter. Romanoff is currently challenging appointed Sen. Michael Bennet in a Democratic primary and if he could be convinced to switch races would solve two problems for the party. State Treasurer Cary Kennedy and Rep. Ed Perlmutter are also mentioned as potential Democratic candidates.

Colorado is now the eleventh open seat Democrats must defend this year although the other ten seats are being vacated as a result of term limits. Republicans also have eleven open seats of their own to defend. There are 37 governors races on the ballot this fall.

By Chris Cillizza | January 5, 2010; 9:05 PM ET

 

[jimpeel]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

If there were but a single Democrat heading for the door this one is likely the most desirable candidate to take that walk in double-time fashion.

SOURCE

Chris Dodd to step aside

Embattled Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd (D) has scheduled a press conference at his home in Connecticut Wednesday at which he is expected to announce he will not seek re-election, according to sources familiar with his plans.

Dodd's retirement comes after months of speculation about his political future, and amid faltering polling numbers and a growing sense among the Democratic establishment that he could not win a sixth term. It also comes less than 24 hours after Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced he would not seek re-election.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is widely expected to step into the void filled by Dodd and, at least at first blush, should drastically increase Democrats' chances of holding the seat.

Blumenthal, who has served as state Attorney General since 1990, is the most popular politician in the state and has long coveted a Senate seat; he had already signaled that he would run for the Democratic nomination against Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) in 2012. (A sidenote: Assuming Blumenthal gets in to the race, Rep. Chris Murphy could be the long-term beneficiary as he is widely regarded as a rising star and would be at the top of the list of Democratic hopefuls to challenge Lieberman in 2012.)

Without Dodd as a foil, Republicans chances of taking over a seat in this solidly blue state are considerably diminished. Former Rep. Rob Simmons and wealthy businesswoman Linda McMahon are battling it out for the Republican nod but either would start as an underdog in a general election matchup with Blumenthal.

Dodd joins North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan on the sidelines for Democrats. Six Republicans Senators are not seeking re-election in November.

Dodd's retirement comes roughly two years after his presidential ambitions came to an end in the Iowa caucuses. Dodd, always a longshot in a field filled with better known and better financed candidates, had moved his family to the Hawkeye State in the fall of 2007 in hopes of generating some excitement for his bid. The move backfired on the Democratic incumbent as many Connecticut voters bristled.

Dodd's political problems were further compounded later in 2008 when it was reported that he had been included in a special VIP mortgage loan program by Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo. Dodd insisted he was unaware of his inclusion and he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Senate Ethics Committee but the political damage was done.

Once among the safest of incumbents, Dodd's numbers plummeted in the spring of 2009 before rebounding somewhat over the summer. But, a Quinnipiac University poll conducted late last year showed significant slippage for Dodd and led to widespread speculation that he had to vacate the seat for his party to have a chance at retaining it in the upcoming midterm elections.

Dodd's troubles were politically ironic, coming at a time when his power on Capitol Hill had reached a breath-taking level that most legislators dream of but never come close to achieving. In the last 18 months Dodd has been the primary author or co-author of legislation re-writing housing mortgage rules; the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street; key portions of the $787 billion stimulus package; a consumer protection bill overseeing the credit card industry; and the nearly $900 billion health-care legislation that has passed the Senate is in final negotiations with the House now.

Much of this work was done through his chairmanship of the Senate banking committee, but he also held powerful posts on the health and foreign relations committees. With each major piece of legislation Dodd ushered into law in recent years, came criticism that he did not anticipate. The mortgage bill came in mid-2008, which some said was delayed because of Dodd's presidential aspirations, and the financial bailout became one of the most unpopular pieces of legislation passed in recent memory. His work on the stimulus bill, approved last February, was an attempt to rein in executive compensation at firms that had been bailed out, but instead led to sharp criticism when executives at AIG, the largest recipient of taxpayer dollars, still received seven-figure bonuses shortly thereafter.

Paul Kane and Dan Balz contributed to this report.

By Chris Cillizza | January 5, 2010; 11:41 PM ET

 

[Gonz]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

Steal from the people, get life benfits for minimal work & then quit

 

[Cerise]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

Generic Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 35%

Republican candidates start the year by opening a nine-point lead over Democrats, the GOP's biggest in several years, in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot.

The new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 35% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

While the Republican lead has reached a new high, it should be noted that support for GOP candidates rose just one point over the past week, while support for Democrats dropped four points to its lowest level in years.

In addition, the number of Americans identifying themselves as Democrats fell to the lowest level recorded in more than seven years of tracking.

 

[catocom]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

44%+35%=79%

business as usual, not to show 3rd parties at all.

I personally don't trust any of the numbers these days.
(punk bankers and politicians)

 

[2minkey]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

1. "This decision is not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with my work in the Senate, nor is it connected to a potential election contest next fall (frankly, I believe if I were to run for another term I would be reelected)."

2. "Bill Ritter was literally the weakest incumbent in nearly 50 years and his own party was unenthusiastic at best for his reelection,"

3. dodd's going nowhere and he knows it. zero likelyhood of a successful presdiential bid. he's been there forever. thime to go.

here's one to remember. people retire. people quit. or change jobs and interests.

so, rather than wanking out piecemeal nothings, why don't you go and prove, without any doubt, that the attrition rate among politicians we're seeing today is at a significantly higher level that what historical patterns would suggest in the norm.

 

[Cerise]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa


Congressional Performance: 58% Say Congress Doing A Poor Job

Voters feel more strongly than ever that Congress is performing poorly and that most of its members are in it for themselves.

Another new low is the number who say most members of Congress are more interested in their own careers than in helping other people.

 

[catocom]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

nah. Dodd ain't concerned with what his so-called constituents think.
He just doesn't want to be prosecuted, and he knows something's coming.

 

[Cerise]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

here's one to remember. people retire. people quit. or change jobs and interests.

Yes, they do, don't they?

Palin shocked critics and allies alike when she announced on July 3 that she would leave the governor's office while in the middle of her first term. The governor chose not to seek re-election and suggested it was unfair to hold onto the office as a lame duck. Instead, she will step down July 26 and pursue a national profile.

 

[Winky]

Demonic Rats can run but they will only die all tuckered out.

pwned

 

[Mirlyn]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

Yes, they do, don't they?

She stepped down (and out of left field). The other dipshits decided not to run again in the fall.

You remember that this is an election year for some of them, right?

 

[Winky]

Demon Cats continue to run for the exits

She's on the way up
they are on the way OUT!

 

[Gonz]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

You remember that this is an election year for some of them, right?

They know that the people do not want the crap bills they are forcing down our throat. They also know that some of them (some VERY big names) have zero chance of re-election, so the DNC has made some backroom deals to increase their chances of not losing too many seats while providing an opportunity, in the near future, for those who play along.

You don't see this many pols abandon ship when the sailing is smooth.

 

[Winky]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

Everything has its price, and they've sold your grandkids future
to buy off the government of the United States of America.

Paybacks are a mutha.

 

[Mirlyn]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

They know that the people do not want the crap bills they are forcing down our throat. They also know that some of them (some VERY big names) have zero chance of re-election, so the DNC has made some backroom deals to increase their chances of not losing too many seats while providing an opportunity, in the near future, for those who play along.

You don't see this many pols abandon ship when the sailing is smooth.

In other words, its politics as usual. Not the spectacle its being made out to be.

I'm patiently waiting for this "turnaround and takeback" revolution people are talking about. Starting to feel like a sunday school story, though.

 

[2minkey]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

we live in important times! end times! the prophecy is being fulfilled and we're all witnessing it!!!!

oh right it is just the same old pattern isn't it?

 

[Mirlyn]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

we live in important times! end times! the prophecy is being fulfilled and we're all witnessing it!!!!

oh right it is just the same old pattern isn't it?

sHe's coming! Look busy!

 

[Gonz]

Re: (Democ)rats continue to run for the gangplank as S.S. Obama founders in stormy wa

I'm patiently waiting for this "turnaround and takeback" revolution people are talking about. Starting to feel like a sunday school story, though.

November, We are a nation that holds its peaceful revolutions every two years.