Developing – Cathy Cloutier Standing Down?
I don’t know how much weight to give this, but there is chat going around that Cloutier is either not running for re-election or changing her party affiliation.
The “standing down” chat sort of makes sense on its face. Along with Anthony Delcollo, she is the most endangered Republican this election, as her district is no longer a Republican district, and she will be facing a tough Democratic challenger after not really having to campaign for years. Additionally, she will be 70 years old in 2020.
On the other hand, she is probably the one remaining Trump supporting Delaware Republican who to get Democratic voters to split their ticket for old time’s sake. So maybe the Trump reverse coattails don’t really apply? She has also reatured prominently in recent wack-a-doo DEGOP fundraising emails.
The only way the changing her party affiliation chat makes sense if John Carney or someone from the dying corporate wing of the Democratic Party is trying to throw a hail-mary to keep the seat from falling into the hands of someone who actually wants to accomplish something.
Catherine Cloutier in a picture that must have been taken 30 years ago.
I’m telling ya, nothing makes retirement more attractive than having a legitimate challenger.
Yeah. Dropping out makes more sense than switching parties. If she switched (unlikely) I wonder if there would be a primary?
You know I just realized how cynical my take is. I mean if she switches I suppose there is a slim chance that she is doing so because she is aware of the fact that the GOP has become a criminal enterprise lead by a sociopathic narcissist.
A very slim chance.
No chance of success. Remember when Arlen Specter flipped? He had no constituency in the D Party. Same would be true for Cloutier.
Good point El. Not sure that she’d have ‘no” constituency in the party. She’s pretty solid with organized labor; to the extent that actually means anything anymore. Still the largest donor group for the D’s and powerful enough in the party to stop gun reform in its tracks. May be a good base of support for her. Also, the LGBTQ groups have always been supportive.
If the LGBTQ group(s) support Republicans this time it will be shocking.
Looking at Cloutier’s social media:
Last FB post, seven days ago. “Happy Birthday Air Force”
Last Tweet:
(A retweet from Senator Tom Carper)
@SenatorCarper
26 Jun 2013
#DOMA decision was right thing to do & I believe it’s another inevitable step in right direction toward equality for all Americans. #netde
Last FB post still September 18th, BTW