Olympia Snowe’s resignation statement reads like an application for membership in the club of professional DC centrist handwringers:
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.
Queue the paeans to Snowe’s statesmanship.
Reports emerging in the last few minutes that Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) will not seek re-election this year. As far as I know, this news comes completely from left field, with Snowe previously expected to cruise to re-election. It sets up a prime opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat and perhaps hold on to their majority. Not immediately clear who the most likely Democratic contenders will be. Or the Republican ones for that matter. More on that shortly …
Feds say a Texas doctor perpetrated biggest Medicare scam in U.S. history.
Rush slams Romney for “Hair on Fire” line about the GOP base.
Pennsylvania Rep. Chaka Fattah (D) schools Texas Rep. John Culberson (R) on his state’s voter ID law.
New numbers from Public Policy Polling suggest Gov. Scott Walker will have a serious fight on his hands in the upcoming recall against him.
Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown says that in supporting a conscience objection to health care contraception mandates, he’s just doing what Teddy Kennedy would have done.
Ted’s son Patrick has told Brown to stop invoking his father’s name. But there’s a bigger issue with Brown taking cover in the shadow in the Senate’s famous “liberal lion.” He almost certainly gets his position wrong.
I’ve addressed this a few times. But it’s probably worth doing again.
This morning I got this email from TPM Reader SL …
I don’t really hear anyone talking about what Romney would do if (he loses Michigan) and the GOP leaders look for a white horse candidate. Does anyone really think he would just step aside for a new nominee or hand over his delegates at a brokered convention?