(CNN) - Florida Rep. Robert Wexler is resigning the seat he's held for 12 years to head up the Washington-based Center for Middle East Peace, the Democratic congressman announced Wednesday.
Wexler, who has proudly described himself as a "fire-breathing liberal," is a also strong defender of Israel.
His district, which includes much of Palm Beach, is heavily Democratic and not expected to be vulnerable for the party next cycle. The Miami Herald reports his announcement has already spurred jockeying from several Florida Democrats who are thinking of making a bid for the seat.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is legally required to call a special election after Wexler formally resigns his seat in January.
Wexler may be best-known nationally for his July 2006 interview on The Colbert Report during which the faux-news host coaxed him to declare: "I enjoy cocaine because... it's a fun thing to do." Colbert said Wexler, who was running unopposed that year, was allowed to say anything he wanted and still get elected.
From CNN Politics
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He's a strong defender of Israel? No wonder the messaiah wanted him gone.
No loss, he did as much as our current president...nothing.
This move on his part is all about money. It is time to get out of a job that pays nothing. This is an opportunity to do something new and exciting and make way more money than he has in the past 12 years. One can talk about being a champion for the poor and being a fire breathing liberal but when it comes down to it everyone is still looking out for number 1. Bottom line, he wanted/needed to make more money!
Hahaha
I am laughing because there are people who are trying to compare this to Palin quitting. "Florida Rep. Robert Wexler is resigning the seat he's held for 12 years TO HEAD UP THE WASHINGTON-BASED CENTER FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE."
See, that is called a reason. Sane, selfless people tend to do things for reasons.
Charlie Rangel needs to resign and go to jail.
i think this is a good move for palm beach constuents. we need a change . someone like a blue dog democrat that is fiscally resposible ...... jose ruiz is that person and he really lives in palm beach county . would not be something imagine a local as congressman jmm
Personally I think he should remain in his congressional seat until a successor is chosen in the 2010 elections – save money, honor a commitment to the people he represents. But that's just my view point.
Hopefully we will get a new Congressman who is a strong defender of the USA and not a strong defender a foreign country (Israel).
Buh-bye, ya lyin' liberal.
good riddance. anyone will be better.
Interesting how the GOP-haters use every chance they get to spew hate and lies about President Obama.
HE'S BEEN IN OFFICE ........ NINE ......... MONTHS!
CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH THE GOPERS EATING CROW AS WE WATCH THE ECONOMY RECOVERY!
DOW 10,000!
No way, Comrade Barack wanted a defender of Israel gone? Naaawwwww, gee whiz
Why do we have senators and congressmen like Liebermann and Wexler who focus more on Israel's interests than the US's? Do we have government moles for Israel? Can these politicians seperate the two issues of Israeli foreign policy and American foreign policy? Hasn't this scavenger fish arrangement gone on long enough?
A "strong defender of Israel" the head of the Center for Middle East Peace? Oxymoron don't you think?
good, see ya.
I love it when you brainless liberals keep inserting Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh in all of your weak arguments on these blogs. It goes to show that all of that hopey, changey garbage you voted for must make you want to stick your head in a hole!
If this was a Republican, the headline would shout, FLORIDA REPUBLICAN QUITS HOUSE. The hypocrisy of CNN and Obama followers is unbelievable.
Cool one less nut job liberal to deal with.
It is sad that the people down there will just replace him with some other dirt bag liberal nut!
To little too late for Democrats quitting.
We know the media wont label him a quitter... that is reserved for conservative women.
Israel is a terrorist state
Israel steals Palestinian land
Israel kills innocent people by the thousands
Anyone that claims to to be a strong defender of Israel has NO BUSINESS being any part of getting the Palestinian people their lands and lives back
This must be some kind of cruel joke
Wexler sounds like a "fire breathing idiot to me"
Sadly, the Republicans leaving comments here have no idea how much Wexler has done for his State and this Country over the last 12 years (easy to find out if they weren't paying attention, but that would take too much effort on their part). Best of luck to you, Mr. Wexler, and thank you!