If I'd run again, I would've won, Stupak says
(CNN) – On the same day that he announced his decision not to seek re-election, Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak sought to downplay the influence of the Tea Party movement, the conservative grassroots movement that has targeted him since the recent passage of health care legislation.
Stupak, who is staunchly anti-abortion rights, led a group of like-minded House Democrats in negotiating a deal with the White House on the issue of federal funding for abortion which allowed congressional Democrats to secure sufficient votes to pass the legislation. His prominent role in the health care debate coupled with his ultimate decision to support a bill which many Republicans and conservatives read as potentially allowing federal funding of abortion made Stupak a top target of the Tea Party movement - so much so that a Tea Party group was rallying in his congressional district earlier this week.
But, in his first one-on-one interview after announcing his decision to retire, Stupak told CNN that he is confident he would have won re-election later this year. And he suggested that many of the Tea Party activists who oppose him are strangers to his congressional district
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"This district is independent," Stupak told CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash. "It's one-third independents, one-third Democrats, one-third Republicans. You have groups come and ago."
He added, "I got along with these folks. And even if they were from my district, they're my friends. And, there's no doubt in my mind, I'd win re-election if I chose to run again. I've chose not to."
Stupak was elected to Congress in 1992 and said Friday that he had decided not run for another term because he had fulfilled one of his original campaign promises from 18 years ago – passage of a comprehensive health care reform bill.
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I live in District #1 in Michigan and I can bet you he would not have won had he run. The loyalists are mad up here and it would have shown in November. Stupak knows he went against the wishes of his constituents....he blew it.
Good Riddens to Bad Rubbish, he is a traitor, sold his soul to the Obama Devil for personal gain, and sold out The American People, with a So Called Health Care Reform Bill that will entirely break Seniors as well as all Americans with the exhorbant taxes attached to this bill, and for less quality care, It's a Obination...
He is not being targeted by anyone but himself for what he did to The American People.
And yet, he will receive tons of retirement money and supurb healthcare, unlike the rest of us Americans.
Well then run again and prove your point. Its easy to say things before they happen just like how you said you weren't going to vote the healthcare bill and then you did. STupak you tell one network one thing and then change your story for another.
Stupak brought all his trouble on himself. He raised a stupid issue of abortion that was a non-issue since abortion funding was never in any bill. He wanted the spotlight and he got it.
I don't feel anything for this grand standing fool. He has signed his own political obit.
Another one bites the dust. Good riddance. NEXT!
He is a weak spineless wimp. Must be why he bows over in front of everyone. The only place he raises his head is when he is around Real Americans and then it's to stick his stuckup nose in the air.
I've met teenagers who know more about our government that he does. What a waste of our time.
Well done, Thanks.
You are wrong, Stupak!
Stay for your ideas!
That's the freaking way to retire, a winner! Go Stupak!!!
If I should have I would have could have, you screwed us all up!
If he would run for reelection it would be the greatest loss in political history! That's why this bone head won't run!
All you have to do is prove it! "Just words, just speeches"? Looks like it!
Yeah right,don't let the door hit your tuckus on the way out,Stupid!
He can just keep thinking that! Run and we'll find out if he wins or not. I think he knows that he is done in politics.
Riiiiiighhhhhhttt.... big talk Bart, but its not your words you are judged by, but your actions. And you can delude yourself all you need to, but we have open eyes. Good riddance.
The Tea Party is the most pro-family org. ever! Everywhere they go, Dems decide to "spend more time with family".
you have opened up your big mouth to much you sound like a repukelian
Apparently he's aborted his political career.
I wonder what promised goverment position he'll resurface in?
Ah, Bart. I think you're just fooling yourself. When you play both sides you inevitably please neither.
and what parallel universe is he living in??
So why don't you run Stupidpak? It's easy to say you would have won. You are still in fantasy land east know as D.C.
Running like a scalded yellow dog Bart
It will be interesting to watch what Rep Stupak does after his retirement. Its hard to believe he betrayed a lifetime of pro-life principals to vote for a bill that opens the floodgates to taxpayer paid abortions without getting something in return. As we got closer and closer to the day of the vote the price Obama was willing to pay seemed to go up and up. Rep Stupak held out to the very last. It will be very interesting to see?
Stupak--if you thought that you were going to win again, you would not be "retiring".
Stupak is in a district that leans conservative.........The Democrats are DEFINITELY going to lose this seat.
Stupak was screwed either way. He was warned/threatened by Obama, Pelosi, and Reid that if he did not vote for the health care disaster--they would not give him any money/support for his reelection campaign. Stupak should have really screwed them--in the same manner that Evan Bayh did-–by announcing his retirement one week before the filing deadline.
Thank you Stupak for retiring. This means that the Democrats will now have to spend more money/resources trying to save this seat--and the Republicans will have to spend less money/resources to win it.
The Tea Party is great in situations like this.......Just like they were in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia.Sue3275