Stupak to Announce Retirement Today
Insider sources are saying this morning that Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan will announce today that he will not not seek re-election this fall. He is expected to have a news conference later this morning to officially announce his intentions.
Had Stupak run for re-election, he would have faced challenges from just about every direction. By first threatening to derail health care reform over unfounded abortion concerns, then backing off and voting to pass the bill, Stupak pretty much did a little to anger everyone. I think he was trying to be everybody’s hero, but instead ended making enemies on all sides.
I hadn’t been following his race very closely, so I’m not sure what his chances looked like for re-election, but his bowing out now makes me think he was not very confident. I guess we’ll have to look at this one a bit closer now. Either way, we won’t have Bart to kick around much longer.
Tags: Bart Stupak
Good riddance.
Dang it. Just realized I should have written, “Stupak will announce today that he will abort his re-election bid for the fall.”
I was pretty upset with Stupak, but I’m pretty strong on choice. And living at C street with Ensign and all the other GOP leaders who claim to be so religious was a turn off, but I do think they guy really believes abortion is murder, and while I disagree that the government should interfere with a womens decision, (until the babies clearly viable, then I start to have problems with a womens right to abort a healthy baby due to a change of heart, as opposed to a health related decision, and the morally of aborting a baby who could live if delivered that day) I do understand and respect his position. I wasn’t happy he held up HCR with his demands, but I was happy he came around. On most issues other than abortion I agree with Bart Stupak. If a Democratic candidate in that district had a chance I would not be bummed out at his retiring, and frankly given what he’s put up with starting with being called a “baby killer” on the House floor on March 21st, I understand why he’s saying “enough”! However, when the 112th congress rolls around and his district is represented by the next Michelle Bachman/Sarah Palin type, I don’t think my fellow Democrats who are cheering his retirement will feel as elated at his retirement. Being a big tent party means putting up with people from the far left to the far center, if you want a pure party of liberal Democrats, you will never have a majority in either Chamber. I wish my idea of HCR would have passed, I wish we could get through card check, and environmental laws, but I realize that we can’t, and I’d rather get some improvement, than return to the days when we were forced to rely on the Senate Democrats to prevent the worst of the GOP agenda!
Stupack is a good man. May GOD bless him in his retirement. I look forward to a Republican in the seat. His bowing out leaves his left wing challenger who has little chance of winning in that district and a strong well funded Republican.
Now I have TWO things to like about Stupak.
I will always remember Stupak speaking against the Stupak Amendment.
Should’ve read StuPacking It In. I miss Jason’s headlines. No offense Scott P.–just having a moment–will he ever be back full time? Have you seen him, talked w/ him?