Abrupt Democratic retirements show tough landscape
WASHINGTON – Two longtime Senate Democrats suddenly abandoned re-election bids, and so did a Democratic swing-state governor, underscoring the perilous political environment for President Barack Obama's party as anti-incumbent sentiment ripples across the nation. But stunning as they were, the retirements weren't as bad as they might have seemed for the Democrats.
Embattled Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd was all but forced to quit, and North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan also ditched his re-election effort in the face of a difficult race. Dodd's announcement Wednesday may actually save the Democrats' hold on his seat — the party quickly recruited a stronger candidate — but Dorgan's retirement may cost the party a seat in his Republican-leaning state. And that would mean the loss of a critical 60th vote in the Senate.
Among governors, Democrats were heartened by two developments that cleared the way for stronger candidates not tainted by incumbency: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, among the most vulnerable for re-election, chose not to seek a second term, and Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry, the Democratic front-runner to replace term-limited Gov. Jennifer Granholm, opted against running. Still, despite the moves, Republicans remain excited about the prospect of competitive races in those states...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100106/ap_on_...
Embattled Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd was all but forced to quit, and North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan also ditched his re-election effort in the face of a difficult race. Dodd's announcement Wednesday may actually save the Democrats' hold on his seat — the party quickly recruited a stronger candidate — but Dorgan's retirement may cost the party a seat in his Republican-leaning state. And that would mean the loss of a critical 60th vote in the Senate.
Among governors, Democrats were heartened by two developments that cleared the way for stronger candidates not tainted by incumbency: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, among the most vulnerable for re-election, chose not to seek a second term, and Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry, the Democratic front-runner to replace term-limited Gov. Jennifer Granholm, opted against running. Still, despite the moves, Republicans remain excited about the prospect of competitive races in those states...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100106/ap_on_...
Each time I believe that the Aemrican's out look on politics has shocked me the most, it ends up toping itself, example...
IF THE REPUBLICAN'S ABSOLUTE RULE OVER CONGRESS WHEN THEY HAD THE MANORITY AND THE WHITEHOUSE, AND AS THE DEMOCRATS HAVEING THE SENATE AND THE WHITEHOUSE STILL LEAVES THEM IN CONTROL, WHY THE SHOCK OF SOME GETTING AWAY FROM THIS SHAME AS BEING A PART OF THEIR LONG LONG RUN OF SUCCESSFUL OFFICES FOR RECeiVING LOBBY MONEY...
ME, "I" ACTUALLY SEE THIS AS A CHANGE AHEAD IN THIS BEHAVIOR GOING TO BE COMING UP OVER AND OVER IN 2010 and 2012...which to me is a good thing and Change I can believe in and look forward to.(smile)