The D.C. Drip
Doh!
U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tennessee) announced Monday that he would not seek reelection in 2010 – the fourth Congressional democrat in recent weeks to read the handwriting on the wall.
“Turning 60 has led me to do some thinking about what’s next,” Gordon said in a statement. “I have an 8-year-old daughter and a wonderful wife who has a very demanding job, and I am the only child of my 83-year-old mother Margaret. They have made sacrifices to allow me to do what I love by serving Congress, and now it’s my turn.”
Awwww … invoking his 8-year-old daughter and 83-year-old mother? What a sweetheart, right?
Wrong. Our guess is Gordon’s decision has absolutely nothing to do with turning 60 – or having an 83-year-old mother or 8-year-old daughter (you do the math on that one) – and everything to do with the fact that he was cruising for an electoral bruising.
Other democrats hanging it up in 2010? Dennis Moore of Kansas, John Tanner (also from Tennessee), and Brian Baird from Washington State.
Political observers in Washington are watching several other democrats, including South Carolina Rep. John Spratt, for signs of a larger-scale “retirement run” among the majority party.
Spratt’s spokesman has assured FITS that the fourteen-term incumbent is “absolutely” running again in 2010.
Pic: Sic
Comments
By OhNoNotAgain on December 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am
It was also in the Rock Hill paper a few weeks ago that he was running. I think from Spratt himself.
Now, every time some GOP’er floats the idea that Spratt will resign, it sends a message, I think.
“We don’t want to run against this guy. We don’t want to get our butts whacked again.”
I’m not referring to you, sir. But this is the second time today I’ve seen this particular “rumor” out there.
By No Name on December 15th, 2009 at 9:56 am
The price you get to charge as a “retired incumbent” lobbyist is much more than as a “defeated candidate” lobbyist.
Look at the campaign account that these goats have left over to see that this is also a nice cushion to retire on alos.
The sad fact to all this eventual Clinton\Biden run in 2012 is the fact that Healthcare and Cap and Trade were nothing but fleecings of some of the last industry groups to still have some money to bribe.
It is not a bad business move to have the GOP take back the House as it removes the embarassment of Nancy and keeps the great smoke screen flowing while the banksters and the Fed steal more trillions to cover all those bad bets.
Who will the State GOP run against Clyburn…because the GOP will get one shot as this “sweep the bums out” movement and at this rate of DC hoaxing anything is possible.
My suggestion is Floyd find an early Hilary Clinton supporter Afro-American in the State that is being snubbed or pounded by Kingfish Clyburn and offer them a GOP platform with no strings attached …kind of like what Lindsey does every time. A strategy to just screw up and with Big Jim.
By Roy on December 15th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I agree with the first poster that this “rumor” seems a little odd and transparently GOP in origin. If Spratt is so nervous about reelection, who are the Rep. candidates that are lining up to take him on? Who is available that could possibly beat him next year?
(Not trying to be funny or sarcastic I just have not heard any names that sound all that viable.)
By OhNoNotAgain on December 15th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Actually, State Sen. Mick Mulvaney is running against Spratt.
Interesting that you had not heard.
He’s a freshman state senator, having leaped to the upper body after his freshman turn in the state House.
He had a bit of a problem with Sanford, being tight on some vetoes with the LovGov, but has distanced himself of late.
By Tsunami on December 30th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Stimulus
Bailouts
Goverment Run Healthcare (Public Option)
All of this has been run through Chairman John Spratt’s House Budget Committee.
Hey, John, isn’t it time to spend more time with your family?