Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire

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Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by SMAZ on Tue Feb 28 17:47:43 2012 edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe to Retire By Amy Walter \| ABC OTUS News Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, R-Maine will not stand for re-election this fall. Snowe, one of the handful of moderates left in the Senate, is reportedly tired of the gridlock that has paralyzed Congress. She was one of just three Republicans to support President Obama's stimulus package in 2009. Although she voted against the final health care bill in 2010, she was the only Republican Senator to vote for any version of the bill (she supported it in committee). Her retirement is a big blow to Republican hopes of taking control of the Senate. With her seat almost certain to be picked up by a Democrat, Republicans would need to pick up a total of six seats (five if a Republican wins the White House) in order to take control of the Senate. Even in a good political year, this is a tough lift. In a paper statement announcing her retirement Snowe said she does not "realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change." According to her office, Snowe will be scheduling a news conference in Portland, Maine, in order to further discuss her decision when she returns to her home state on Friday. Snowe's Full Statement: "After an extraordinary amount of reflection and consideration, I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for re-election to the United States Senate. "After 33 years in the Congress this was not an easy decision. My husband and I are in good health. We have laid an exceptionally strong foundation for the campaign, and I have no doubt I would have won re-election. It has been an indescribable honor and immeasurable privilege to serve the people of Maine, first in both houses of Maine's legislature and later in both houses of Congress. To this day, I remain deeply passionate about public service, and I cherish the opportunity I have been given for nearly four decades to help improve the lives of my fellow Mainers. "As I have long said, what motivates me is producing results for those who have entrusted me to be their voice and their champion, and I am filled with that same sense of responsibility today as I was on my first day in the Maine House of Representatives. I do find it frustrating, however, that an atmosphere of polarization and 'my way or the highway' ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions. "With my Spartan ancestry I am a fighter at heart; and I am well prepared for the electoral battle, so that is not the issue. However, what I have had to consider is how productive an additional term would be. Unfortunately, I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term. So at this stage of my tenure in public service, I have concluded that I am not prepared to commit myself to an additional six years in the Senate, which is what a fourth term would entail. As I enter a new chapter, I see a vital need for the political center in order for our democracy to flourish and to find solutions that unite rather than divide us. It is time for change in the way we govern, and I believe there are unique opportunities to build support for that change from outside the United States Senate. I intend to help give voice to my fellow citizens who believe, as I do, that we must return to an era of civility in government driven by a common purpose to fulfill the promise that is unique to America. "In the meantime, as I complete my third term, I look forward to continuing to fight for the people of Maine and the future of our nation. And I will be forever and unyieldingly grateful for the trust that the people of Maine have placed in me, and for the phenomenal friendship and assistance I have received over the years from my colleagues, my supporters, and my staff, both in Maine and in Washington."
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by italianstallion* on Tue Feb 28 17:49:58 2012, in response to Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by SMAZ on Tue Feb 28 17:47:43 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Excellent.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by dand124* on Tue Feb 28 17:50:46 2012, in response to Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by SMAZ on Tue Feb 28 17:47:43 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d likely democratic pick up
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by SMAZ* on Tue Feb 28 17:55:04 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by italianstallion on Tue Feb 28 17:49:58 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d agreed. When push came to shove, she always put her party above the American people. Good riddance.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by AlM* on Tue Feb 28 18:04:23 2012, in response to Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by SMAZ on Tue Feb 28 17:47:43 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Being a moderate Republican is very stressful nowadays. You have to move to the right to stave off a primary challenge, and then try to move back to the middle to make it through the general election.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by SelkirkTMO* on Tue Feb 28 18:07:58 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by SMAZ on Tue Feb 28 17:55:04 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d And they still fucked her over for it which is why she quit.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Chris R16/R2730* on Tue Feb 28 18:18:30 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by dand124 on Tue Feb 28 17:50:46 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Not really. Depends on who runs. Maine has had 2 "GOP" senators for ages now.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Chris R16/R2730* on Tue Feb 28 18:19:39 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by SMAZ on Tue Feb 28 17:55:04 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I also think it's good. She's been a de facto Democrat for most of her career. Let's see who the GOP gets to run in her place.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Chris R16/R2730* on Tue Feb 28 18:20:52 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 28 18:07:58 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d It's really frustrating to watch a Republican vote with Democrats on policy issues over and over again. She was the fucker, not the fucked.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Chris R16/R2730* on Tue Feb 28 18:27:25 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by AlM on Tue Feb 28 18:04:23 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Same could be said for Democrats. Both parties have become more ideologically pure these days. The difference is the Democrats have willing allies to assist the "move to the center" after a primary. We saw that 4 years ago when the media managed to fool a LOT of people into thinking Obama was the left wing socialist he was before, and has been since.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Chris R16/R2730* on Tue Feb 28 18:27:57 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by AlM on Tue Feb 28 18:04:23 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Same could be said for Democrats. Both parties have become more ideologically pure these days. The difference is the Democrats have willing allies to assist the "move to the center" after a primary. We saw that 4 years ago when the media managed to fool a LOT of people into thinking Obama was NOT the left wing socialist he was before, and has been since.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by SelkirkTMO* on Tue Feb 28 18:31:16 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:20:52 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Heh. That's what the republicans get for not putting in a NASCAR track up there. Hell ... can't even get a decent beer up there. :)
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Olog-hai* on Tue Feb 28 18:46:10 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:27:25 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Both parties have become more ideologically pure these days Nope. Only one has.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by italianstallion* on Tue Feb 28 18:47:28 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:27:25 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Spare me the "socialist" nonsense. Such remarks only prove you have no idea what socialism is.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by italianstallion* on Tue Feb 28 18:49:22 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:20:52 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d And now the GOP will be fucked, as the Dems are sure to pick up what was to be an easy seat for her to keep.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by italianstallion* on Tue Feb 28 18:50:37 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:18:30 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d As you say, "GOP." It's a Democratic state, by registration and history.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by italianstallion* on Tue Feb 28 18:52:01 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Olog-hai on Tue Feb 28 18:46:10 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The GOP of course.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by bingbong* on Tue Feb 28 20:30:53 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by italianstallion on Tue Feb 28 18:49:22 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Given what the republicans have become, they'll lose.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by SelkirkTMO* on Tue Feb 28 20:35:53 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by bingbong on Tue Feb 28 20:30:53 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Fortunately for them, there's still plenty of morons around to keep them in suspended animation. :)
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Fred G* on Tue Feb 28 23:59:14 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:27:57 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d LOL!! your pal, Fred
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Fred G* on Wed Feb 29 06:34:07 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:20:52 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d She voted the way her constituency wanted her to. To a partisan hack that's unacceptable but to the people of Maine it's good sense. your pal, Fred
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Fred G* on Wed Feb 29 06:37:32 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:19:39 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Let's see who the GOP gets to run in her place. It'll be like replacing Charles G with Olog Hai. your pal, Fred
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by JayMan* on Wed Feb 29 07:07:27 2012, in response to Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by SMAZ on Tue Feb 28 17:47:43 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Maybe I should run to fill her seat... ;P
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by JayMan* on Wed Feb 29 07:08:14 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:19:39 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d It'll be my personal mission to see that a Democrat fills her seat...
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by JayMan* on Wed Feb 29 07:09:08 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:27:57 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d You'd be crazy to think the ideological nutcases are evenly spread in both parties...
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by bingbong* on Wed Feb 29 08:23:34 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by JayMan on Wed Feb 29 07:09:08 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Guess he is....
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Kew Gardens Teleport* on Wed Feb 29 08:53:56 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by JayMan on Wed Feb 29 07:07:27 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Go for it!
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Kew Gardens Teleport* on Wed Feb 29 08:58:23 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by italianstallion on Tue Feb 28 18:49:22 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I hope not. The GOP needs sensible New Englanders to compensate for the number of Southern ex-Democrats.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by AlM* on Wed Feb 29 09:02:09 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Fred G on Wed Feb 29 06:37:32 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d That sounds about right.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by italianstallion* on Wed Feb 29 09:10:54 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Kew Gardens Teleport on Wed Feb 29 08:58:23 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d There will never be enough sensible New Englanders to compensate for them!
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Fred G* on Wed Feb 29 09:29:30 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by italianstallion on Wed Feb 29 09:10:54 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d We're just not making 'em fast enough :) your pal, Fred
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by SelkirkTMO* on Wed Feb 29 16:47:44 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by JayMan on Wed Feb 29 07:07:27 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Need some signatures? :)
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by orange blossom special* on Wed Feb 29 19:07:15 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:19:39 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Really? You thik you won't be disappointed that bad??
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by orange blossom special* on Wed Feb 29 19:07:29 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by JayMan on Wed Feb 29 07:08:14 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d So you want Snowe to run again?
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by JayMan* on Wed Feb 29 19:41:16 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by orange blossom special on Wed Feb 29 19:07:29 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d No, but her successor should be a Democrat...
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Spider-Pig* on Wed Feb 29 19:46:40 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Feb 28 18:19:39 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Let's see who the GOP gets to run in her place. Someone who'll lose the election to the Democrat.
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by Olog-hai* on Wed Feb 29 20:15:08 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by orange blossom special on Wed Feb 29 19:07:29 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d They love all those RINOs. Why wouldn't they?
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Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire
Posted by orange blossom special* on Thu Mar 1 09:10:23 2012, in response to Re: Senator Olympia Snowe to Retire, posted by JayMan on Wed Feb 29 19:41:16 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailOT:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d So she should reregister and run as a Dem. She might go for it.
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