David Obey won't seek re-election

[kpete]

Source: Politico

In a major blow to Democrats, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey has told close associates that he will not seek re-election and an announcement of his plans is expected as early as Wednesday.

The Wisconsin Democrat faces tough poll numbers at home, but until Tuesday night his staff had insisted he was running aggressively and had hired campaign staff. But a person close to him confirmed the decision to POLITICO Wednesday and said Obey was preparing to make a statement.

A press conference has been called at 1 p.m. and Obey staff indicated that he would announce his plans then.

Elected in 1969, the liberal is a major institutional figure who played a leading role in the anti-war and reform movement of the House in the 1970’s. As the Appropriations chairman, he has been a close ally to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D—Cal.) who came up through the same panel before moving into the leadership. And his departure follows on the death of Rep. John Murtha (D—Pa.) this winter, a second Pelosi ally veteran of the powerful committee.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36812.html

[jezebel]

1. Why does this have 2 recommends already? nt

[SnakeEyes]

7. Because it's a quality post

rec/unrec is not for whether you agree or disagree or if the content is a good or bad thing.

[robinblue]

29. I will rec. It is news. sad news but news.

[Cant trust em]

2. Wow. Obey is an icon in Western Wisconsin.

I'm surprised by this.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. Perhaps surprised but not shocked

He's 71 and has been a Congressman for as long as I've been alive. I can see why he'd want to retire.

[Cant trust em]

5. True. He's no spring chicken. nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. He's been growing palpably frustrated with the state of American politics too.

You can practically see it on his face. I think he'd have retired 4 years ago if we weren't poised to retake Congress.

[sybylla]

15. He swore 4 years ago that he wouldn't retire until

Bush was out of office and he had put right what he could of the mess they made. At the time, he said he would if it took another ten years. Trust me when I say he's considerably short of that ten year promise.

Still, knowing the trouble they face in DC in just getting a few good bills passed through the Senate, I think he decided this was a fight for those with a little more youthful vigor.

I love Dave Obey, who has been my congressman off and on in his 41 years in congress. He's a very thoughtful, fearless man when it comes to doing what's right. I heard him say to a gathering of Dems just this last year that if you want to be a good politician, don't ever stop being outraged at injustice. Say what you want about Dave Obey, but in this he is true.

I can't begin to tell you how worried I am that he's leaving now. He's never had a close race in the last decade and this one wouldn't have been any closer with him running (in spite of what the M$M keeps claiming). But now it's up for grabs. We have a few good legislators in a position to run, but starting out on a several million dollar congressional race in May is batshit crazy. Only the largest ego or the biggest martyr will take it on, neither of which is the makings of a strong candidate.

Everyone cross your fingers and hope we can pull this one off.

[Jackpine Radical]

18. I'm shocked by this news.

Not that he might want to step down, but by the suddenness and timing of the announcement. I agree that it wouldn't have even been close, and have to wonder if there is a health issue or something similar driving it. It just isn't like Dave to dump the race in May without lining up an heir apparent and all that.

[sybylla]

24. I know. My thoughts too, Jackpine.

But I've heard nothing to confirm that. I was so tickled that he bought me a drink at an event last month, never thinking it might be the last time I see him as a congressman. Very gutting, I must say.

[WhiteTara]

21. seems late in the day

why make this decision now? My cynicism makes me always wonder why he wants to spend more time with his family. Usually it's illness or scandal. I hope it is neither.

[w4rma]

4. Very bad. (nt)

[florida08]

6. USA today reports

"Obey, who has represented Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District since 1969, was being targeted for defeat by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Republican Sean Duffy, the Ashland County district attorney, reported strong fundraising last week and was recently endorsed by former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin."

[sybylla]

16. And truthfully that means squat

Dave Obey is chair of appropriations. He has a very strong base here and gazillions in the bank for his congressional run. Sean Duffy is an MTV has-been with a loud mouth that will get him into trouble long before election day rolls around.

Though Dave Obey has taken every race he's ever run seriously, the rest of us have been sitting here rolling our eyes at the M$M hype. Now that he's gone, the seat is in the most danger it's been in since Dave Obey won it in a special election in 1969.

[florida08]

20. That's got to be hard

to hear this crap. Really like him and Feingold. It's a huge loss

[sybylla]

25. It is hard to hear, in a way

The good thing is that it will make the pukes and Palinites and even the idiots in the media falsely cocky about how "scared" they made Dave Obey.

That kind of over confidence definitely gives us the advantage in keeping the seat.

[shotten99]

9. Time to dig in and get to work.

It's going to be a bumpy ride, but this doesn't have to be 1994.

[Scuba]

10. This is a shame. Cheesehead progressives stand strong!!!

[glinda]

11. Let me guess. Dems will pick another woman right? They need to pick someone

strong and popular and make gender a second consideration. We cannot loose anymore seats anywhere.
I hope my neighbors get another Dem in there!

[sybylla]

19. I can think of two strong possibilities - both in the state legislature now.

A man and a woman. Hopefully the fact that they have only six months to run a multi-million dollar campaign won't scare them off.

We'd do better without a primary, but in the end, while there might be a ton of encouragement and offers of help for one of these two to get into the race, there will be no "choosing" by Dems except at the ballot box.

[Myrina]

12. :(

I'll miss the crusty ol' curmudgeon! I remember his rants against Iraq War Spending during the Bush (mis)Administration.


:patriot: Goddess Bless Dave Obey, Champion of the Common Man (and Woman) !!

[slackmaster]

13. Obey

[IndianaGreen]

14. Obey is burned out, and it is a real shame that he chose to retire

Best wishes to Obey!

[old mark]

17. He's been in Congress 41 years - time to go home and let some younger Liberals

have the job. Whoever it may be will need support and votes, and I hope we will have a new Democratic Congressperson from Wisconsin this fall.

mark

[myrna minx]

22. He's a titan. This is a shame, but after 40 years of fighting the good fight,

I can't blame him. :-(

[Hippo_Tron]

23. Couldn't he have made that announcement like 5 months ago to give the DCCC some time?

The last thing we need is another competitive house seat.

[edwinmathews]

26. He was going to lose

so he is quiting .

[Jackpine Radical]

27. Differences of opinion are what make horse races.

I think he would have walked back in like he has been for 40 years.

[howaboutme]

28. If I spend 45 years on the public dole

should I claim that I've served the public, or has the public served me? Obey might have been a great guy, but I still have big reservations when I see a long time politician tout how they've "served" the public for decades.

The question comes down to have they served us, or have we served them?

I'm for 2 terms max as Senator or Congressman and then resign and go home and serve the public.

[Yupster]

31. I'm for term limits too

In this age of gerrymandered districts, I think theyt are a necessity.

[robinblue]

30. Medical Marijuana supporter Congressman David Obey not seeking reelection

We have a grand supporter of MM!


http://www.examiner.com/x-30194-Madison-NORML-Examiner~y2010m5d5-Medical-Marijuana-supporter-David-Obey-to-leave-Congress-Best-choice-to-replace-Anyone-But-Lassa

Medical Marijuana supporter Congressman David Obey not seeking reelection
May 5, 7:18 PM Madison NORML ExaminerGary Storck



Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use
ShareThis

Rep. Obey: Supported MMJ patients

Madison: U.S. Congressman David Obey (D-WI), the third longest serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced he is not seeking a 21st full term this November.

Obey, 71, a former state lawmaker who served six years in Madison, was first elected to Congress in 1969 after then-President Richard Nixon named then-Congressman Melvin Laird of Marshfield as defense secretary. Obey has been in Congress long enough to have voted for the Controlled Substances Act, which classified marijuana as a Schedule One drug with no medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Obey redeemed himself in recent years, especially after the Democrats regained the majority in Congress and he became chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

MMJ Commando Squad at US Capitol in 2001.

Even before that in 2006, during debate on the Hinchey Amendment, which would have barred the use of federal funds to subvert state medical marijuana laws, he delivered a stinging rebuke to opponents that included this:

“The Congress has no business telling a patient how they can manage their pain or illness. I would trust any doctor in the nation before I would trust some of the Daffy Ducks in this institution to decide what I am supposed to do if I am terminally ill.”

In 2009, Obey's support as the chair of the Appropriationa Committee was instrumental in passing an omnibus bill amendment that finally overturned the “Barr Amendment”, a 1999 law that barred Washington, D.C. from implementing a medical marijuana law approved overwhelmingly by District voters in 1998. Overturning the Barr Amendment was a victory for democracy and it cleared the way for D,C, to finally implement the medical marijuana law, with the D.C. Council giving final approval just days ago.

In October 1999, I was part of a protest at Barr’s congressional office doorway along with my “Medical Marijuana Commando Squad” colleagues Jacki Rickert and Jim and Cheryl Miller...........................

[Jefferson23]

32. What a shame, sorry to hear this. n/t