Looks like the Jig is up.
(uh-oh, now I've done it).
............... 
Posted on 02/15/2010 12:28:16 PM PST by Free ThinkerNY
I've just heard from an impeccable source that Barbara Mikulski, the Democratic Senator who is up for reelection this November, will choose to retire. Mrs. Mikulski is expected to make her formal announcement in the next few days.
Mrs. Mikulski seriously fractured her right ankle last fall just prior to Edward M. Kennedy's death. Due to the severity of the fracture, she had to have open reduction surgery, that included the insertion of pins, as well as the use of special surgical boots, during recovery. She had tried to arrive in time for Mr. Kennedy's funeral but was turned away.
Her recovery has been exceptionally slow and she is evidently still in a great deal of pain. Reportedly, she has told her physician that she does not desire to seek reelection. Additionally, friends and family have been saying in the near future she will announce her retirement. Because of the very slow recovery, she has been forced to use a wheelchair, a walker or a cane in order to get around.
One of her complaints is that the health insurance that is provided for Congress is "poor" with high deductibles and "limitations" on coverage. My contact tells me that she told an aide that she should have inserted in the ObamaCare bill an amendment to improve Congressional health insurance! Mrs. Mikulski was first elected to the Senate in 1986, and thus is a very senior member of the Democratic caucus. Despite this seniority, she has never been offered any important chairmanships or leadership positions. Born on July 20, 1936, she is 74 years old, come July...it is perhaps fitting that she has choose this year to retire.
Her possible announcement along with that of Evan Bayh and Byron Dorgan of ND will the third Democratic Senator announcing plans to retire.
(Excerpt) Read more at thevailspot.blogspot.com ...
what about former Gov Erlich? not sure if i got the name right but even when he lost reelection he still had a high popularity rating which was strange. i dont live in Maryland so dont know the terrain but maybe he can at least force Dems to use resources there
Looks like the Jig is up.
(uh-oh, now I've done it).
...............
It sort of looks like we may be rectifying ol' Boxer's status. Her polling #'s are abysmal!
What dog pound is she retiring to?
Kendel Ehrlich.
To answer your question, yes.
It’s never been a secret, but it also has always been kept low-key.
As a MD resident I assure you that Steele wouldn’t have a prayer at that seat. At his peak of popularity he could not defeat Ben Cardin for Sarbannes seat when he retired. Either one of the Erlichs would have a much better chance.
The rats will not run sarbanes. Have you ever heard him talk? He absolutely cannot run a statewide election. He only won his house seat because it was a dem seat in a very dem year with the name of his father. He didn’t need to campaign. also, he is not next in line.
I would imagine that Van Hollen, Doug Gansler, or Hoyer would run.
If my math is correct - There are now 14 open seats in the Senate. 9 Democrats and 5 Republicans.
Resigned:
Joseph Biden
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Ken Salazar
Mel Martinez
Obama/Roland Burris
Retiring:
Barbara Milkuski
Evan Bayh
Chris Dodd
Byron Dorgan
Ted Kaufman
Sam Brownback
Kit Bond
Jim Bunning
Judd Gregg
George Voinovich
I also get 20 House Dems retiring/resigning/running for senate
20 Republicans for a total of 40.
Don’t forget about the NASA jobs that will be lost in Maryland. Could this be related?
Complaining about the health care of a senator? This is an ONION piece, right? And she couldn’t get to Teddy’s funeral on time? Maybe she should have had one of the Kennedy family DRIVE her!
Are we bebinning to see a tidal wave of change hitting the rats, who thought they were entrenced in DC?
Is one offered leadership positions? I thought the Senator had to run for them.
On the other hand, I am surprised she has been skipped over for chairmanships.
There will be more, count on it.
I move that we table the “rules” when discussing any Democrat.
Can I get a second?
You gotta admit, Mikulski gives Helen Thomas a run for the money.
Make sure the door hits your fat @$$ hard on the way out !
Ehrlich had made noises about running for Governor. He would announce in March, if he decides to. Its possible this retirement is a game changer for him, but I dont know.
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