Another Democrat to exit Congress
Washington (CNN) - Rep. Brian Baird, D-Washington, announced Wednesday that he will not run for a seventh term next year, making him the third Democratic congressman to retire and effectively end a career in elected public service.
"This is not an easy decision to be sure, but I believe it is the right decision at the right time," Baird said in a statement, where he also promised to serve out his term "with the same level of commitment I have always given the people" of the 3rd Congressional district.
Two other Democrats, Dennis Moore of Kansas and John Tanner of Tennessee, previously said they were retiring with no plans to run again. Six other House Democrats will leave at the close of the 111th Congress to seek another office.
President Obama won Baird's district in 2008, but President Bush won it in 2004.
The National Republican Congressional Committee cheered Baird's decision as a sign that Democrats would rather "throw in the towel" than face difficult re-election bids next year.
"With this being the third retirement by a swing-district Democrat in as many weeks, it is clear that the Democrat incumbents are feeling the ground shaking underneath them," said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain in an e-mail to CNN. "As the unemployment rate remains unacceptably high and Democrats continue on with their out-of-touch agenda, independent voters are rightfully fleeing the Democratic Party."
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It's funny when a democrat decides not to run for a seventh term the GOP head idiot sayes he's throwing in the towel, but has nothing to say about the tens of GOP congressmen and Senators have "thrown in The Towel" because they know they can't get re-elected. The country has moved far away from the far right GOP and they still don't get it. That's another reason the GOP will very shortly be a group instead of a party.
It would be great if there were term limits. Take Senator Byrd from West Virginia, he probably don't even know what is going on in Washington. Others there are ready for the farm, as well. There are others there just for the perks.
With term limits, we could prevent career congressmen. Take John Kerry, never had a job just a little military service and has sponged off the taxpayers. I could go on with names but what good would it do.
In 2010, I think things will be suprisingly different.
... and just what did these same republicans say when a record number of republican incumbents bailed in the last days of the Bush administration ... Denny H, speaker of the house, didn't even complete his term in office ... same with that senator who ran for election, served one year out of 6 and retired to become a well-heeled lobbyist ... what is about being republican that makes you quit without finishing the job ... just like Palin ...
another one bites the dust, another one bites the dust, and another one down and another one down another one bites the dust......Dems are pathetically weak and DOOMED in 2010. Oh, and in 2012, if impeachment doesn't occur first, the republicans could run a box against the radical marxist and they would win.
NRC..you have this wrong...throwing in the towel....more likely taking the towel. just sayin'....:-)
frustration levels are at an all time high. in a way I do wish the rethiglicans were in charge. let them gnaw their legs off in the trap they've set! no no no
Let's hope that come the morning of 11/3/09, a couple of hundred more are preparing for a January, 2011 exit.
Hopefully, many more will follow...we can only hope.
that's because they know the liberal jig is up; and they're getting an early start at job hunting...
This is great news!
It means there is more of a chance that the Republicans can control Congress....or come close to it!
I am so excited! I was a strong supporter of George W. Bush and now there is hope that his influence will return to our country!
Getting out before the hammer drops.
If any group is out of touch it's the Republicans, they have no plans, no ideas, and no clues.
Of course the Dems are running scared. Without Obama's coattails they will get destroyed in 2010 and they know it. Some believe that Senator Burr,a Republican from NC is vulnerable but I bet he wins by 8 points or more without 2010 having a Presidential race. Only those Dems who represent districts or states which are overwhelmingly Democratic can feel relatively safe.
Yup!!!!! They knew whether or not they'll be out anyway so they started to leave instead of waste their monies and time to campaigning for the seats that they will lose smart choice.
Yup!!!!! They knew whether or not they'll be out anyway so they started to leave instead of waste their monies and time campaigning for the seats that they will lose smart choice.
are you kidding me? "ground shaking beneath them", what a bunch of bullsh!t.
How can Christian vote for the current Republicans politicians? Would Christ have denied the sick health care? Would Christ support war involving innocent civilians? Would Christ be so vehemently against illegals aliens? Would Christ be so pro-business? Would Christ defend the profits of the money lenders of his day? Would Christ have supported destroying the earth in defense of profit? Would Christ have supported the death penalty?
My bible teaches me that Jesus Christ was about FORGIVENESS and redemption; that he believed that ALL men, not just people that looked like him, were equal in the eyes of the Lord. how on earth can people who say they are Christian vote people with such patently UNCHRISTIAN views?!?!
Democrats and Republicans are both out-of-touch. Neither one of them cares what the people of America want.
and without a doubt ALL the repugnant incumbents will be voted out......piss on them all
Wow, republicans will grasp at anything to try to show positive vibes for their failing Party.
Wow, another one to bite the dust!!!
Yep, the RNC is definitely right-–they would rather throw in the towel rather than try to justify/make excuses for Obama's failed policies--regarding the economy, unemployment rate, etc.
I wonder how many more will throw in the towel before the 2010 elections-–as the approval numbers of Obama and the Democrats continue to fall on a daily basis.
The Democrats are going to get clobbered in 2010!!!!!
What would you do? This administration is not true democrates. They are truely socialist and the congress has a joke for a speaker and the senate has a joke for a leader. We are becoming a joke in the worlds eyes. God help us. Can't wait for 2010. We'll find out if americans are fed up yet.
Amazing how they accept no blame. Disgusting, vile sub-humans these RepubliCONS are.