Sen. Byron Dorgan told MSNBC’s Ed Schultz tonight his surprise retirement decision was “no reflection” on the Democratic party and insisted he would have won reelection if he’d decided to stay.
Dorgan (D-ND) said he has served 40 years and now wants to do “some other things in life.” He said he would prefer people ask, “Why did he leave so soon, rather than why did he stay so long.”
“This gives me the opportunity to do that,” he said.
Dorgan said the political climate showing him trailing potential Republican challengers is “not” why he’s retiring and added, “I would have been successful this year.”
Dorgan said he talked “at some length” to President Obama today and that he’s not concerned about the political climate.
Schultz, who earlier today said he had been courted to run for the seat, asked Dorgan to consider staying.
“I have to ask you tonight to hang in there,” Schultz said.
“God bless you,” Dorgan responded.
Schultz pressed Dorgan on the reimportation of prescription drugs issue, a source of friction between him and the White House.
Dorgan fought for an amendment the Obama administration helped to kill during the health care debate, and Schultz asked if that left him with a “bad taste.”
“I’m not going to tell you I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth,” Dorgan said. “I’m going to get that amendment passed … and save the American consumers $100 billion.”
Schultz asked if Dorgan would consider a spot on the Obama Cabinet.
“It hasn’t been offered yet, Ed,” Dorgan said.
Here’s Dorgan on retiring:
And talking about prescription drugs:
