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Subscribe to RSSMAINE: The Portland Press-Herald’s front page on Snowe: “True statesman is bowing out.”
The Bangor Daily News: “U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe stunned Maine’s political establishment on Tuesday by announcing she would not seek re-election in a decision likely to have ramifications on both congressional races here and on the battle for control of the U.S. Senate.”
“Olympia Snowe, a moderate Republican senator from Maine known for her ability to work across party lines on key issues impacting New England and the nation, surprised many of her colleagues yesterday with her announcement that she would not seek reelection this fall,” the Boston Globe writes. “Despite laying a strong foundation for her campaign these past few months, the three-term senator decided she’ll leave after 33 years in Congress, partially blaming the bitter partisanship that has permeated Washington.”
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This is a very good explanation of the current political climate in Maine, with the retirement of our moderate Republican senator and the dominance of the Tea Party in state government:
http://pollways.bangordailynews.com/2012/02/29/national/maine-currents-maine-exceptionalism-and-the-snowe-seat/
Snowe is not a Republican, she's a Republic-rat RINO.
Don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on your way out.
Now you can officially register yourself in the Dem party where you belong.
Joe - YOU and that attitude are exactly what is wrong with politics in our country today. Snowe was/is a moderate and that can not be tolerated in todays republican party. Anyone who does not legislate as the party leaders demand are ostracized and condemned. I thought each representative and senator represent the locals who voted for them and not some national overlord. Kinda' defeats the idea of representative govt. for the people and by the people.
I can only hope that swinging door rebounds and hits you in the crotch.
I should add, Olympia Snowe won re-election with 75% of the vote in 2006. She likely would have won re-election in 2012 with nearly as much. She had no strong opposition from either party. Republicans really need to look long and hard at what is happening when they lose candidates who had that kind of respect and support from across the aisle, and with Independents.
blearyeyed is right on target. For over 2 decades now, the Republicans have been moving further and further to the extreme right. If Reagan was running for office today, he'd be considered a moderate--unless, of course, he did what Romney is doing: compromising his more moderate convictions just to get the nomination. The Republican Party has now gone so far to the extreme right, there is no way they can find their way back toward the middle. Not even Libertarians can accept the fanaticism of Santorum and his ilk. The defeat of the Republicans in the Presidential election in November and loss of seats in Congress should break the party in two. But the question, then, will be, What moderate Republicans will emerge to lead the GOP back to the middle? Romney?--not a leader, just a feather in the wind. McCain?--no longer taken seriously. Jeb Bush?--too much Bush baggage, I suspect. Chris Christy? Mitch Daniels? Ryan?--They aren't really moderates. The more the Republicans push good people like Olympia Snowe out of government, the fewer good people they have to turn to when the party finally deconstructs.
Joe - YOU and that attitude are exactly what is wrong with politics in our country today. Snowe was/is a moderate and that can not be tolerated in todays republican party. Anyone who does not legislate as the party leaders demand are ostracized and condemned.
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I seem to remember the Dem party actually disowning Joe Lieberman and endorsing another candidate for the 2006 Senate race because he voted with the Republicans too many times. Of course, he ran as an independent and kicked the Dem party endorsed candidate's a$$.
Damn those intolerant lefty liberal Dems.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I confess I feel like a witch, because, when people asked me about Snowe's senate seat, I would say, if she made it through her primary, which she likely would, she'd almost certainly keep the seat because even Maine Democrats supported Snowe. Secretly, I was hoping she'd have a medical reason to bow out, which was very, very, evil of me. In my imagination, I saw that as the only way Democrats could claim her seat. I am glad, at least Sen Snowe remains in good health.
I voted for Olympia for years, until she signed a letter to the editor of the Portland Press Herald, urging Mainers to vote for Bush's re-election, at which point I said, I'm done with Snowe. But, I will allow. Snowe skillfully used her position as a moderate Republican to put the brakes on some of Bush's stupider initiatives. She was also an effective advocate for the interests of my state and the Northeast region. (Kept the Navy shipyard in Portsmouth open!)
During Obama's first term, I would get angry with her for things like voting against HCR, while helping to craft it. I wanted to trust and admire Sen Olympia Snowe, but when she played along party lines I became angry with her.
I am sad to see the end of an era with Snowe's retirement. Maine has produced several effective national leaders who had integrity: Ed Muskie, George Mitchell, and Secrety of Defense Cohen come to mind. Now Olympia Snowe is retiring and it's Tea Party village idiot Paul LePage who makes the national news. A sad day for Maine, but almost certainly, a great opportunity for Democrats to pick up a senate seat.
Now can we win Maine? LOL! Good post Amy!! I do see blue skies ahead!!
its a sad day in America when people from there own party vilify them. Its a sad when you have people whose brains are smaller than pin heads put down a fine Lady who served her country for many years. That speaks so well of you and how low your party has gone.
Olympia Snowe will end up with a cushy gig in the Obama Administration if he wins a second term.
In any event, she will switch to being a Democrat.
She sold out.
And one wonders why Republicans do not trust the so-called "moderates" The RINOs.
Arlen Specter redux.
bob Please keep ragging on your "moderates" and everyone in your party who doesn't follow the line. Keep running them off and all you will have nothing. There is not enough people in this fine country who hold your kind of views. So keep running your smart ones off. Thank You!
By the way Obama Biden 2012
If Olympia Snowe is a RINO, you'd better redefine what a Republican really is. She was strong on defense, voted for tax cuts, and was respected for her fiscal conservatism; but hey, maybe you're right, that's the new definition of a liberal.
"During Obama's first term, I would get angry with her for things like voting against HCR, while helping to craft it. I wanted to trust and admire Sen Olympia Snowe, but when she played along party lines I became angry with her.
I am sad to see the end of an era with Snowe's retirement. Maine has produced several effective national leaders who had integrity: Ed Muskie, George Mitchell, and Secrety of Defense Cohen come to mind. Now Olympia Snowe is retiring and it's Tea Party village idiot Paul LePage who makes the national news. A sad day for Maine, but almost certainly, a great opportunity for Democrats to pick up a senate seat."
Amy, my feelings as well. There was a time when the ability to listen to both sides, discuss the issue and come to a rational and effective compromise was recognized as the way to get things done for the people you represent. Compromise was not a dirty word. People understood that, just like in life, you are not going to get everything you want 100% of the time. There are other people with valid opinions who were also also elected by people they represent and they are not always going to agree with you. But, the TPUB hostage takers have an entirely different agenda.
My hope is that Chellie Pingree steps up to run for Senator Snowe's seat and I wish Senator Snowe only the best on whatever path she and her husband, John McKernan, decide to take.
The fact that Snowe is retiring and the reasons why after being in her seat for 3 yrs is a pretty sad fact indeed! She was a TRUE statesperson.
They -- the GOP -- formerly known as the Republicans -- have now changed their name to Rethuglicans -- have LOST the ideals of compromise ! Its their way or the highway! In a 2 party gov't, You MUST compromise -- or the entire Gov't stalls and NOTHING gets done! I believe in a 2 party system, thats why I am in independent. *I* vote for the candidate -- NOT the party. But since the GOP/ TP have adopted such a FAR RIGHT WING agenda? Come election night in Nov, may your party have all the relavance of the WHIG party ! !