Still have to say I'm surprised he's leaving,

given the vacuum at the top of the House GOP.  Blunt has already hit the glass ceiling, and I'm not privy to the good rumors, but I wonder if Boehner would have to resign the speakership if the GOP loses 20+ seats this fall.  Cole isn't going anywhere, a bunch of seniors including Davis retired...

Anyway, I sure am glad he's leaving.  This should be a much easier win.  Wonder if we still get that State Senate seat...

28, gay guy, Democrat, CA-08

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by: texas dem @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:25:33 AM UTC

You mean . . .

. . . his leadership post.  Boehner is NOT the speaker!

(I know, even after a year and a half, it's still hard to get used to being in the majority.  That's actually a healthy attitude-- keeps us from taking it for granted!)

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by: The Caped Composer @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 15:24:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Most COH

Reynolds actually did a great job shofting resources around to hold the GOP loss in the House to 30 seats.  Unlike Liddy Dole, his side won a lot of close races.  The most typical NRCC expense last cycle was for polling: funds were shifted accordingly.  Reynolds was one of the smart ones; not one of the loud mouths or the nuts.

He departs with cash on hand of $862,609, the highest for a NY Republican.  Next in line are challenger Sandy Treadwell ($754,812, NY-20) and Peter King in NY-3 ($604,240).  Joe Bruno may have a big mouth but aside from the US Attorney spot, the GOP has few assets in NY State.

Cash on Hand for the three other GOP incumbents running in NY State: McHugh, $203,402; Kuhl, $326,513; Fossella, $250,501.  The first quarter numbers will be interesting to say the least.  Arcuri and Hall are looking safer and safer, aren't they?

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by: David Kowalski @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:00:47 AM UTC

Brings my Count to 27

We went from 27 to 26, when Foster won IL-14.  Now we're back up to 27.  

Who's going to put "Another One Bites The Dust" in this thread?

Good news, I'm glad to see another one saying 'Bon voyage'.  My only problem would be if this propels Davis to run again, creating a bloody primary between Powers and Davis.  

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by: JeremiahTheMessiah @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:35:09 AM UTC

Davis

What was Davis like?  Good candidate or pretty mediocre but only got so close because of all the scandal involved?  Kind of like what I heard about Tim Mahoney, decent enough challenger but only lucked out because of the Mark Foley scandal.  

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by: Andrew @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 15:37:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Davis was awful

Just awful.  Crazy and lazy.

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by: Trapper John @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 17:12:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Davis

If you can imagine someone with the energy and likeability of a corpse and the views of Lou Dobbs, then you'd have Jack Davis.

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by: countmippipopolous @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 21:48:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Is this...

Is this the last of the retirement, will a few more trickle in, or will this open the flood gates for another bad week for the GOP?

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by: C.S.Strowbridge @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 14:57:06 PM UTC

After Foster took Hastert's seat in IL-14

I bet we see between eight and a dozen more Publicans decide that life in the radical fringe pales in comparison to the big bucks on K Street.

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by: Ajax the Greater @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 15:03:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think...

I think if the presidential race had the Democrats in the lead, we would see a lot more falling.  

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by: C.S.Strowbridge @ Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 00:13:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

roughly a month to go

I think we'll get to 35.

There are a couple of Blue Dogs I wouldn't mind seeing walk either.

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by: Baystater @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 18:00:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

RIDICULOUS

some of the people who comment on here are just plain ridiculous.  

to BAYSTER -- who said that he/she would like to see some of the Blue Dogs go -- do you just not get it?  every district cannot be represented by a Barbara Lee or Barney Frank.  It just isnt possible.  And it wouldnt be good for our Party or country either. Why don't we try to just elect the democrats that best fit their district instead of always trying to push the most progressive or furthest left candidate.  Keep in mind that if it wasnt for the Blue Dogs- - we would be DEEP in the minority -- and would stay there!

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by: CarnahanDemocrat @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 19:58:44 PM UTC

Because there are very few districts that are actually best served by a certain type of Blue Dog.

Show me the district that benefited from the ridiculous bankruptcy legislation that congress passed in 05.  Delaware-AL, SD-AL, maybe Charlotte (all banking and credit card HQs)... and that's it.  So why did all those Blue Dogs vote for it?  Because their political survival strategies involve being as close to big business as humanly possible.

There are other ways to hold close districts, or even far R districts.  I don't have an aggressive problem with most Blue Dogs, but there are a few whose districts really don't warrant their behavior (Jim Cooper and Leonard Boswell come to mind), and even in the others, there's more than one path to political survival.  I'd like to see some of the others get explored more, and if an open seat allows an interesting contest like that, then it could be an instructive opportunity.

28, gay guy, Democrat, CA-08

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by: texas dem @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 21:26:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Blue Dogs

I don't think most people here have large issues with Blue Dog Democrats in red or purple districts.  However, I think it's fair to hope that Blue Dogs in Blue Districts (remember Lipinski?) leave.

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by: countmippipopolous @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 21:51:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sounds about right

I like our blue dogs in red districts, Chandler, Herseth, Chet Edwards, etc.

C'mon Baystater, When do we get to challenge Stephanie Herseth in South Dakota and put a real liberal in that seat?

26, Male, Democrat, TX-26

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by: trowaman @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 22:22:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

when future gov herseth

runs for prez in about ten-fifteen years.

Top ten signs you're an SSPer #1: your favorite song is "Panic At Tedisco" and no one understands what you mean.

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by: doug_tuttle @ Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 01:39:26 AM UTC

I figured

she was waiting for Tim Johnson to retire. She's only 37, so she has plenty of time.

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by: Johnny Longtorso @ Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:11:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

isn't Johnson's son an upper and comer in SD Dem Politics?

i thought Johnson was sorta grooming him to take over in 7 years...

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by: CarnahanDemocrat @ Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 13:46:20 PM UTC