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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (77150)	1/6/2010 8:00:46 AM
From: Hope Praytochange	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 224718

Dodd had been losing in polls to his potential Republican challengers, and some Democratic strategists speculated Tuesday that his retirement actually bolsters the party's chances of retaining the seat this year. There are strong candidates in the GOP primary, including former Rep. Rob Simmons and wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who has said she would spend tens of millions of her own money to win the seat. The state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, is considered a strong candidate. Gov. Ritter's approval ratings have plummeted amid a souring economy. Strategists hoped that his departure might clear the way for a stronger candidate, such as Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, a former Colorado senator. Sen. Dorgan has been elected three times to the U.S. Senate, winning 68% of the vote in 2004, and his seat wasn't clearly vulnerable. Republicans say the retirement greatly boosts their chances of cutting into the Democrats' advantage in the chamber. Mr. Dorgan is the first elected Democratic senator to announce his retirement this year. Several House Democrats from conservative districts have said they will step down. A series of retirements can often foreshadow a bad year for a party, and Democrats acknowledge that the struggling economy, a conservative backlash against Obama administration policies—especially on health care—and other factors make it likely they will lose seats. Democrats have been quick to point out that more Republicans than Democrats have announced their retirements so far in each chamber. Every Senate race has taken on heightened significance this year, since Democrats' current majority of 60 votes, including two independents who usually side with them, is the bare minimum the party needs to break Republican filibusters. The 60-vote majority has enabled Democrats to pass a health overhaul through the Senate despite unbroken opposition by Republicans. Sen. Dorgan, 67 years old, has held public office since he was 26 and said he had intended to run again this year. But he concluded recently that he wanted to pursue other interests. "I have written two books and have an invitation from a publisher to write two more books," he said in a written statement. "I would like to do some teaching and would also like to work on energy policy in the private sector." North Dakota Republicans had been encouraging the state's popular GOP governor, John Hoeven, to run against Sen. Dorgan. A Dec. 15 Rasmussen poll showed Mr. Hoeven, in a hypothetical match-up, with a significant lead over the senator. Mr. Hoeven hasn't announced his intentions and the campaign hadn't begun in earnest. Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said Sen. Dorgan's departure is a sign of trouble for congressional Democrats. He contended that, as the 2010 elections approach, many of them are deciding to simply leave office rather than face certain defeat. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said Monday that he respected Sen. Dorgan's "decision to pursue other interests in his life." Barack Obama said in a statement: "From fighting for our energy future to standing with North Dakota's families through difficult economic times, Sen. Dorgan has been a trusted leader for the people of his state." Democrats quickly began looking for a viable candidate in North Dakota to run in what could be an uphill campaign. Party leaders believe that their best hope is Rep. Earl Pomeroy, North Dakota's sole House member.