Posted on 02/23/2010 2:39:47 PM PST by NormsRevenge
Washington – "I do not love Congress."
Call it the shot heard round the Capitol. With a $13 million war chest and a lead in the polls, Sen. Evan Bayh (D) of Indiana appeared on track to reelection – until he decided that he'd had enough of what the Senate had become.
"I am not motivated by strident partisanship or ideology," he said at a Feb. 15 press conference.
...
To date, 12 senators have announced retirements - the second-highest number of Senate retirees in 75 years. The high-water mark was 13 departures in 1996.
As in years past, some departing senators, notably Christopher Dodd (D) of Connecticut and Jim Bunning (R) of Kentucky, faced long odds in their reelection bids. Had the numbers lined up differently – or had their respective party leaders been willing to invest resources to shore up their reelection bids – they could have fought for another six-year term.
But what's striking about this electoral cycle is what the unforced departures say about the changing character of the Senate. One by one, exiting senators referenced the frustrations of working in a body that has lost its tolerance for debate and become increasingly more like the House of Representatives.
"When I first arrived, the Senate was a place where fairly complex pieces of legislation were brought to the floor and we spent weeks on it," said three-term Sen. Judd Gregg (R) of New Hampshire, another retiree.
"The Senate is losing its character and purpose: to be the place of debate and amendment on complicated issues," Senator Gregg added in an interview. "It's moving closer to the House, where [the majority] doesn't allow any amendments that are significant."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I don’t know about all of them, but Judd’s retirement was premature, to say the least. He announced when he thought that Obama had ascended to a position of permanent supremacy. He was wrong, as were most people. If Gregg stood for reelection, he’d win overwhelming especially considering his principled stand against Obama on budget matters. That’s popular in a state like NH.
Too many are compeletely unable to handle the current situation, can’t deliver an immediate solution, Obama is likely to soon institute a purge and they don’t want to be lined up in front of a firing squad, they’re tired of all the bickering, backbiting, etc.
Too many are compeletely unable to handle the current situation, can’t deliver an immediate solution, Obama is likely to soon institute a purge and they don’t want to be lined up in front of a firing squad, they’re tired of all the bickering, backbiting, etc.
The real question should be is why so few ever resign!
Senators perceived by outside groups to be working across party lines face reprisals in the polls. Sens. Robert Bennett (R) of Utah and John McCain (R) of Arizona face strong opposition in their Republican primaries from conservatives, who challenge their bipartisan work.
How about that!!!
Because the Democarts who have been in charge of Congress for the last 3 years have destroyed it.
I think most Democrats understand that their change platform in 2006 is going to catch them in 2010. Is this really the change America voted for? Soaring defecits, Soaring Unemployment, Stagflation all created when Democrats were the majority
A very easy winning campaign commerical:
The Democrats promised you change starting when Nancy Pelosi won the House and Harry Reid won the senate majorities in 2006 elections. The country has been going down hill ever since....
Americans you must remove the problem before they are allowed to do even more damage.
Show the unemployment charts, defecit charts etc..
VOTE FOR FREEDOM OR DIE IN SLAVERY TO THE GOVERNMENT.
he makes it sound like strongly defending supporting an idea it is a bad thing. He just want to be a Senator job without the fighting bit
I’m thinking the 13 mil had a lot to do with it.
I think its likely that his DEM colleague were giving him trouble for not supporting them 100% He doesn’t like the internal bickering
I think it’s because they know that “JUTICE” is on the way..... and that it’s coming for THEM.
Yea!the country is ready too fall over the financial abbyse that these political clowns created and now that he’s got plenty of campaigne funds on hand he’s quitting.I wonder if he’s able to keep those funds as income.
I think a lot of these people have read the tea leaves and can see a huge crackup coming. They simply do not want to be holding the bag when it happens.
I’m tired of Evan Bayh. He’s a liberal and is a part of the majority. He voted against Roberts, Alito, and Condi. He votes for the stimulus, bailout, and healthcare.
Answer: Because they believe the pig trough they've been feeding at for decades is about to run dry.
He’s a liberal, but people in IN don’t know that.
Because like spoiled children, once they stop getting home-free with their ways, they quit and take their ball home.
Agreed. Terl limit them to Twelve years for Senators (two terms) and twelve years for Representatives (6 terms) If they are lucky enough to make it to the Presidency, that's as much as 32 years in the Fedgov.
This way the House will become a "minor leagues" for the Senate and the Senate will prove a testing ground for the Executive.
(Not to mention they ca always go back and serve at the state or local level.)
“Retiring senators: Why are so many calling it quits?”
Simple. The rats - I include RINOs - are looking for offshore hideouts where they can bail out and enjoy their ill-gotten loot. They’ll soon learn to fear the words “bounty hunter.”
Confucius say:
"When the shit is about to hit, don't stand near the fan..."
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