Posted on 04/25/2010 7:33:20 AM PDT by reaganaut1
ASHLAND, Wis. — Representative David R. Obey has won 21 straight races, easily prevailing through wars and economic crises that have spanned presidencies from Nixon’s to Obama’s. Yet the discontent with Washington surging through politics is now threatening not only his seat but also Democratic control of Congress.
Mr. Obey is one of nearly a dozen well-established House Democrats who are bracing for something they rarely face: serious competition. Their predicament is the latest sign of distress for their party and underlines why Republicans are confident of making big gains in November and perhaps even winning back the House.
The fight for the midterm elections is not confined to traditional battlegrounds, where Republicans and Democrats often swap seats every few cycles. In the Senate, Democrats are struggling to hold on to, among others, seats once held by President Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Democrats are preparing to lose as many as 30 House seats — including a wave of first-term members — and Republicans have expanded their sights to places where political challenges seldom develop.
“It’s not a lifetime appointment,” said Sean Duffy, a Republican district attorney here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where he has established himself as one of the most aggressive challengers to Mr. Obey since he went to Washington in 1969. “There are changes in this country going on, and people aren’t happy.”
Mr. Obey, who leads the powerful Appropriations Committee, is one of three House Democratic chairmen who have drawn serious opposition. Representatives John M. Spratt Jr. of South Carolina, who oversees the Budget Committee, and Ike Skelton of Missouri, who runs the Armed Services Committee, have been warned by party leaders to step up the intensity of their campaigns to help preserve the Democratic majority.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
“Mr. Obey since he went to Washington in 1969.”
Absolutely nobody should be in office this long.
I really don’t think the Democrats realized how the American people would NOT be cheering them on for “delivering” healthcare to them. Most Americans are not THAT stupid and recognize a con when they see it and when the Dems are in their face nonstop for months talking about it... and then they realize A) It does not offer immediate coverage for pre-existing conditions B) They find out the bill does not GIVE them health coverage but says they have to PAY for it C) If they DON’T pay for it, they will be fined D) Their employer explains how they won’t be able to afford that raise in 2014 because they will either have to bump up their coverage or pay a fine
Anyway, the American people realized what a craphole of a plan this is right away.
“Threat?”
Should be “promise.”
You know it’s looking bad when the NY Times does a story like this.
You’re right, but with no term limits, people tend to vote for the same one year after year. We need to purge the deadwood in both parties and constantly replenish with fresh blood.
The Times may be trying to rally the troops. After all ,we tea partiers and the voters in general are a “threat.” We get what we want and they can kiss their free ride goodbye.
And it’s probably a lot worse than they’re letting on...
Actually, from first hand knowledge of my companies contingency plans, it should read like this: D) Their employer explains how they will be dropping health insurance coverage for all employees as the fine is less than 10% of the cost of providing health insurance.
It always is!
““Mr. Obey since he went to Washington in 1969.”
Absolutely nobody should be in office this long.”
Especially a Marxist like Obey.
First clue for Mr. Obey should have been the “stimulus” package that he crapped out of his ass. It had nothing to do with job creation, and everything to do with earmarks his people had been saving up with GWB as president.
The whole grim thing is at the daily beast.
That’s the reason the stimulus never worked. It was never designed to work. It was just a way to pimp out more money from the taxpayers for stupid things.
I can’t tell you how much I hope Obey is defeated. For me, he would be the “big fish.”
Thank goodness it does not have immediate coverage for pre-existing conditions. That will destroy the system.
Whatever the reason, let’s hope that this story gives pause to the Democrats when considering Cap and Tax and Amnesty.
Oh no doubt! The industry would be immediately crippled! However this was one of the selling points and downright lies that the Admin and Pelosi spouted for months and it wasn’t true.
I think the Dems know their candidates’ election and re-election chances are swirling the bowl. So they are going to try to ram through as much of this evil as possible before those elections.
Jesse Helms.
all registered Democrats are scum! Throw them out!
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