Mark Murray, "First Read" @ MSNBC
...With just a few days to go before the end of this recess, House Democrats are cautiously optimistic that they could get through it without a single retirement announcement. That said, there is still a concern that some important incumbents in districts that they are uniquely suited could call it quits. At the top of the concern list this week: Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak. The Democrat best known this year as the Democrat who delivered the winning margin of votes for the president's health-care reform bill is said to be simply exhausted. The criticism he received -- first from the left, and then from the right -- has worn him and his family out.
"I abandoned my stated concern for the lives of the unborn as a matter of morality and voted for the bill to stroke Obama's ego. For some reason all the people that used to support me are criticizing me for that. Man, didn't see that coming! Why can't they send me a 'thank you' note like Planned Parenthood did? Buncha ingrates! Backstabbers!"
And if he had to make the decision now, he'd probably NOT run. As of this writing, a bunch of senior Democrats (many of the same ones who twisted his arm on the health care vote) are trying to talk him into running.
"Don't worry, Bart, we got your back! Just like last time."
The filing deadline in Michigan is still a month away, but veterans of that state's politics are skeptical anyone other than Stupak can hold that district in this political climate. |