Obey to Announce Retirement

By GottaLaff

Another one bites the dust:

Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), chairman of the Appropriations Committee and the third-most-senior Member of the House, has decided he will not seek re-election in November.

His Wiki here.

Justice Stevens says he'll decide soon on retiring

By GottaLaff

This is one time I am adamant about not wanting President Obama to compromise. We can't afford to have another Supreme Court judge who carries so much as the scent of leaning right:

Justice John Paul Stevens says he'll decide soon about retiring — for his own peace of mind and to give President Barack Obama and the Senate plenty of time to replace him.

I take that to mean it will be sooner than later.

Video here.

So what really happened with Eric Massa?

Other than generally giving Rahm indigestion, this looks to be what will take him down.

The incident that Massa believes sparked the investigation happened at a wedding reception for one of his staff members. When being razzed about possibly banging one of the bridesmaids he had just danced with, Massa “tousled the hair” of one of his male staffers and said “What I really ought to be doing is f***ing you.”

ADDED- Josh has a little more here.

John Linder (R-Ga.) to retire

By GottaLaff

And another one bites the dust:

Veteran Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.), an early ally of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and an outspoken fiscal conservative, announced Saturday he was retiring. [...]

The 18-year congressman represents a heavily Republican seat in the sprawling suburbs east of Atlanta that is likely to stay in GOP hands.

Enjoy spending more time with your family.

Bayh: Timing of my announcement could be positive for Democrats

By GottaLaff

Evan Bayh and Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker had a conference call with county Democratic Party chairs today.

Timing is everything:

Bayh said the timing of his announcement could be a positive for Democrats. The source said that Bayh told the call that the lack of a primary would mean that the Republican party candidates would attack each other on their own, with no Democrats to get in the way. [...]

"He said, 'if this goes to the state committee then we'll have selected a candidate without a divisive primary,'" the source told me this evening.

In other words:

Bayh and Parker suggested on the call that not having a public vote on who Indiana's next Democratic nominee for Senate will be could be a positive come November.

Bayh and Parker "made a point to steer clear" of talking about specific candidates to replace Bayh as the nominee, the source said. Parker said another of the "positives" about not having a primary was that the state party has "a deep bench" of candidates to choose from if they are called on to select a nominee, the source said.

Asked about his comments on the call, Parker told me he he didn't say a lack of a primary was a good thing. He told me he said on the call that "the process isn't perfect but our nominee will be chosen before the Republican."

See? He's a hero now... of sorts... at least he thinks so. Give yourself a pat on the back, Ev. I doubt if anyone else will.

We'll have to wait and see if he's right.

President’s Day Message: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff

My impassioned 72-year-old Twitter pal, who goes by the name 42bkdodgr, would like to share his feelings about Evan Bayh's announcement not to seek re-election. I am more than happy to oblige.

But first, a personal note from 42bkdodgr:

Many of you may wonder why I chose to use the “ 72 year old friend” as the introduction to my Special Comments. I selected the moniker so readers could see that from my age and life experiences I give a different perspective to the issues of today.

Now for his Special Comment:

President’s Day Message

One has to wonder why Sen. Evan Bayh, chose President’s Day to announce that he wouldn’t be seeking re-election in 2010. I believe he is trying to send this country a message. He gives two examples of why he isn’t seeking re-election and they should be of concern for all Americans.

Sen. Bayh cited two instances (1) the failure of the Senate to pass a bill on how to resolve the country’s growing deficit and debt problems (which was co-sponsored by seven Republicans but was eventually defeated when all seven voted no after President Obama came out in favor of the bill), and (2) the inability to pass a meaningful jobs bill which fell apart from complaints by both the left and the right.

Sen. Bayh’s decision not to seek re-election, who didn’t seem to have the problem of getting re-elected, can cut both ways. It can finally awaken all Americans that this mired, partisan, dysfunctional government has to end to get the country moving forward in the 21st century... or it will encourage the Republicans and their far right members to continue their policy of NO and obstructionism.

The partisan politics we are seeing will only drive more moderate legislators away from seeking re-election and will discourage those who maybe thinking about running for Congress.

Should this partisanship continue, I believe this country will move further to the right and toward a Christian Conservative theocracy form of government.

One need only to read this article and my Special Comment to get an idea where this country maybe headed.

Sen. Bayh has sent us a very important President’s Day message, I can only hope America and our Congress are listening to his message and start getting this country moving into the 21st century.

Many thanks again for another thoughtful, relevant piece, 42bkdodgr. You often say what many of us are thinking and feeling, and we thank you for your unique perspective.

Massachusetts' Delahunt Won't Rule Out Retirement

By GottaLaff

Another one?

Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.) did not rule out retirement in an interview with the Boston Herald published Saturday.

Massachusetts is getting more depressing by the day.

California Democratic Congresswoman to retire

Sounds like a safe seat, so no need to worry.

Washington (CNN) - Rep. Diane Watson will retire at the end of the year rather than run for re-election, three Democratic sources tell CNN.

Watson, 76, represents California's 33rd congressional district, which includes parts West Los Angles and Culver City. The four-term congresswoman won a special election in 2001and re-election to full terms in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008.

The district is considered overwhelmingly Democratic. Watson has won at least 80 percent of the vote in each of her re-election contests. Barack Obama took the district by 75 points in the 2008 presidential election and John Kerry won the district by 67 points in the 2004 presidential contest.

And in a similar vein, Shuster just announced that former Rep Charlie Wilson passed away.

Another GOPer retires

By GottaLaff

Here's hopes his wife has a speedy recovery:

Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI 03) will announce his retirement at a 10 a.m. presser tomorrow morning, according to a MI-based source. [...]

Several GOP sources tell Hotline OnCall his wife had a heart attack last week, further lending credence to speculation he will step aside. [...]

Ehlers will be the 17th House GOPer to announce plans not to run for re-election, compared to 11 Dems who have done the same.

But it's the Dems who the news dee jays say are hemorrhaging, not the GOP. There's that librul bias again.

Indiana Republican announces retirement

By GottaLaff

Another one bites the dust:

Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Indiana, announced Friday he would retire at the close of the 111th Congress, citing his wife's diagnosis of an incurable autoimmune disease. [...]

The announcement comes days after Buyer's non-profit group, the Frontier Foundation, came under fire from the Committee on Responsibility and Ethics (CREW), which accused the group of abusing its tax-exempt status. The organization filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and the Office of Congressional Ethics earlier this week, asking for an investigation "to determine whether Frontier has been operated for public or private purposes."

Coincidence?

Democratic U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder of Arkansas to retire

By GottaLaff

Another Blue Dog says so long, but the GOP will still not get control of the House. (UPDATE: Via an e-mail from Politico, "Snyder was one of the most vulnerable House Democrats up for re-election, with a public poll released today showing him trailing Republican challenger Tim Griffin by 17 points.")

Rep. Vic Snyder made the announcement today in the following statement:

“2010 will be a robust election year during which great forces collide to set the direction for our country for another two years. Over the last several weeks Betsy and I have had discussions with family and friends including other members of Congress (Rep. David Price, Rep. Susan Davis, and our own Sen. Mark Pryor) regarding the appropriate balance between family and Congressional service when a family has very young children. I have concluded that these election-year forces are no match for the persuasive and powerful attraction of our three one-year old boys under the leadership of their three-year old brother, and I have decided not to run for re-election. It is the greatest professional honor of my life to represent Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I am so grateful to the people of Arkansas to have had this wonderful opportunity. That honor will now pass to someone else at the conclusion of this term.”

“This decision has not been an easy one. Two weeks ago my campaign manager came on board, but that first morning I advised him to do nothing to begin the campaign because of my doubts regarding running. The onset of the new year, the time I always begin organizing my campaigns, did nothing to remove these doubts.”

“I have put very little thought into what the work side of my life will look like at the end of this term, although it is clear from observing how much our four little boys eat that I will be working for a long, long time.”

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Arizona) to retire

By GottaLaff

Yeah, there's a flood-- a flood I tells ya!-- of Democrats jumping ship:

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), who briefly announced his retirement last cycle but then opted to seek another term, will not run for reelection in 2010, a GOP source confirms.

Shadegg becomes the third Republican to announce his retirement in recent weeks. He joins Reps. Henry Brown (S.C.) and George Radanovich (Calif.).

I'm sure his family will love spending more time with him.

Now the Rushpublics will have to find someone else who's willing to use a baby as a prop to score political points:

His statement, in part, here.

Another Democrat to retire

By GottaLaff

Swinging out of the swing district:

Tennessee Rep. Bart Gordon will not seek re-election in 2010, becoming the fourth Democrat sitting in a swing district to retire in the last several weeks. [...]

Gordon along with Reps. Brian Baird (Wash.), John Tanner (Tenn.) and Dennis Moore (Kans.) have announced their retirements in recent weeks from seats that will be major Republican targets in 2010.

2010 is officially not my favorite number.

Blue Dog House Democrat Calls it Quits

By GottaLaff

John the Quitter:

Rep. John Tanner (D-TN), a leading Blue Dog Democrat, will retire at the end of his current term, sources tell Hotline On Call.

"Tanner has begun informing key House Dems of his decision -- one that will make his seat a prime pickup opportunity for GOPers."

Dennis Moore (D-KS) announced the same thing last week.

I'm not sure there's much difference between Blue Dogs and Republicans these days, so this may be a wash.

Barry Hussein's new measures: Payments for sick leave? ... or for... Death Leave??

By GottaLaff

Great. Now Obama's indoctrinating seniors! Who's next, infants? Thirtysomethings? Somebody stop him! He's out of control!!

U.S. President Barack Obama announced new measures on Saturday to encourage Americans to save more money for retirement, a move the White House said would put the economy on a stronger footing in the future.

Why? Why is he encouraging them to do that?? Because he wants...to... take... their... money? Tax their hard-earned savings??

What next?? Encouraging them to use that money for... planning their own deaths???

Obama, in his weekly radio and Internet address, said the government would enact rules making it easier for small businesses to let workers automatically enroll in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) retirement plans.

Not...so...fast there, Barry Hussein. What does "IRA" really stand for? "Individual Resting-place Accounts"? Hmmm?

And what is the symbolism behind the number "401"? Is that code for the number of suicides per week Barry Hussein will order? Aha! So now there's a Death Quota??

Quick! Freedom Watch! Fund a new tea party for... for... Retirers! Um, no.. Suiciders! Nah... needs to be snappier. IRAers! Still thinking... Quota-ers!

Payments for unused vacation time and sick leave could be converted into retirement savings under the new measures and Americans would be able to have tax refunds directly deposited into their retirement accounts or used to buy savings bonds.

"Sick leave"?? More like.... "Death leave"! And those "tax refunds"? We all know those will be deposited into.... ::dun dun dun-n-n:: Death Accounts or used to buy Death Bonds!

The measures do not require congressional approval and most will take effect immediately.

No congressional approval required? We all know what that really means: Dictatorship!!

Justice Souter plans to retire

By GottaLaff

I posted about it earlier. Confirmed by Rachel Maddow now. Officials have told MSNBC that Justice Souter intends to retire.

This won't change the tenor of the Supreme Court much, although appointed by Bush 41. He tends to vote more "liberal".

The Rushpublics will kick up a fight, but they'll, what's the word? LOSE.

Bunning running?

By GottaLaff

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), "the most endangered Republican up for reelection in 2010, appears headed for retirement after giving his leading GOP rival the blessing to prepare to run for his seat next year," Politico reports.

"Bunning's retirement would be a huge victory for national Republicans who have grown increasingly nervous that the 77-year-old two-term senator would lose a critical race as the party tries to cling to its diminished minority in the Senate."

However, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, a Bunning spokesman insisted late today that nothing has changed: "Senator Bunning has every intention of running," he said.

Why we want him to run... badly:

1. Insensitive.
2. Insensitive squared.
3. Loser.
4. Embarrassing loser.
5. Partisan loser.
6. Unpopular loser.
   

Sam Donaldson to Retire from ABC News

By GottaLaff

Broadcasting "Sam's Show" on KEPO, El Paso, in 1952.

Anyone have a gold watch?

Donaldson, who covered presidents from Kennedy to Obama, is retiring next week from full time work at ABC News. The 41-year ABC News vet will continue to appear occasionally on This Week with George Stephanopoulos as well as on ABC Radio.

Would this be a semi-retirement? Quasi? Faux?

Happy semi-quasi-faux retirement, Sam!

Former President Greeter W. Bush: Hardware store offers him position

By GottaLaff

This is funnier than anything I could come up with. Why wouldn't little Georgie jump at this? He'd even get his own parking space. And it's local! He could ride his bike over, Pickles could pack him a nice lunch, he'd get a discount on them brush-clearin' saws. Maybe he'd even get a name tag! That way nobody will forget who he is. On second thought, forget the name tag:

Elliot’s Hardware — a local Dallas hardware store — has “appealed to former President George W. Bush to spend his new-found retirement working as a part-time greeter at its Maple Avenue store.” “Our greeters are a legendary part of our customer service,” said Kyle Walters, Elliott’s Hardware president and CEO. “And we are offering the position to Mr. Bush in all sincerity. We think it would be a great fit for him as he settles back into life in Dallas.” If he chooses to take the position, Bush will enjoy company perks such as “a flexible part-time schedule (to allow travel to Crawford),” a parking space, and an employee discount.

I wonder if he'd get to wear an apron.

H/t: Eve

Bush signs law protecting retirement savings for gay couples

By GottaLaff

From the Department of Wha-a-a-a?

Yesterday, Bush signed into law the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 (WRERA), requiring employers to allow employees to roll their retirement plans over to nonspouse partners. The Human Rights Campaign hailed the bill for allowing gay couples to share benefits:

PPA [Pension Protection Act of 2006] made it possible for employers to allow any nonspouse beneficiary of an employee’s retirement plan—including an employee’s same-sex partner—to roll inherited retirement benefits directly to an individual retirement account (IRA) and avoid immediate taxation. WRERA requires that all employers provide this rollover opportunity to nonspouse beneficiaries.

Did he just show up P.E. Obama?