Congresswoman Karen McCarthy (D-MO) will retire

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.politics1.com/

Congresswoman Karen McCarthy (D-MO) announced this weekend that she will not seek re-election to a sixth term next year. Within the past year -- after some embarrassing public incidents -- McCarhty checked herself into an alcohol rehab program and acknowledged she was an alcoholic. Since her return from treatment, McCarthy has continued to act in an erratic and volatile manner -- and her actions have caused a heavy rate of departures from her staff. In recent days, McCarthy came under fire for using campaign money to take a trip to attend the Grammy awards. She also faced recent allegations that she was using government staffers for run her personal errands. In fact -- even before her announcement -- she was viewed as vulnerable enough that she had already drawn two primary opponents and was likely to attract more. "I want to focus on balance in my life. Too often, I've put my career and helping others ahead of my own needs," explained McCarthy of her decision. The seat is heavily Democratic, so it is likely to remain in Democratic hands.

[PackedForPerth]

1. Sheesh!

Oh Jeeze! Keep this crap up and the damned Republicans are going to have a 2/3rds majority in both Houses AND the White House. Then the real maniacs on the far right will start trying to ram through constitutional amendments and we'll know what real trouble is. :o

[Old and In the Way]

2. Sad....perhaps the new government dyamic was too much for her.

I'm surprised any Congressperson with any semblence of ethics can keep their sanity with the current regime in charge.

[harper]

3. I'm glad she decided not to run

Most democrats in her district (including myself) were hoping she'd do the right thing and pull out of the race. This way some other democratic candidate with a chance of winning can run. Maybe Immuanal Cleaver, for example. Karen has pretty much cooked her own goose and I'm not sure we'd keep the seat if she had decided to run again.

[goobergunch]

4. Not unexpected, and IMHO this is a good thing

If she was nominated, it would only help the Republicans by giving them a weak opponent in an otherwise heavily Democratic seat.

[davidinalameda]

5. CNN link

it appears as if she had some personal issues

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/22/elec04.h.mccarthy.retirement.ap/index.html

[LimpingLib]

6. She was pretty conservative anyway.

When she won in 1994 she was easily the most conservative Democrat to ever hold the seat.

Speaking of which..is Moran stepping down? I know Brad Carson is. This could be a good year for replacing center-right Democrats in liberal seats with actual liberals for a change.

[NewJerseyDem]

7. Moran is probably running

I don't think that he has announced yet but most of his primary opponents have dropped out. The only one left is Andy Rosenberg who probably isn't as strong as the other potential opponents to Moran. Carson's district could potentially elect a more liberal guy; I'm not sure how liberal Dan Boren is since he seems like the likely winner there. However, this district isn't that liberal. It voted for Bush!!! Everyone thinks that just becauce Synar was from that district that it is real liberal but maybe they just liked Synar.

McCarthy isn't that conservative. She has a lifetime rating of 6 from the ACU which is pretty good. Moran isn't that bad either. He has a 15 from the ACU which isn't awful.