Obey out:
Bone-tired and facing a tough political landscape at home, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey announced Wednesday that he won’t seek reelection, ending a 41-year House career stamped by his unique talent and tempestuousness.
Rarely does a committee chairman of such power just walk away, and Obey’s decision is a blow to Democrats and marks the passing of one of the last major leaders of the 1970’s reforms that reshaped the modern House.
With poll numbers consistently bad; with the economy still rocky; with financial turmoil pointing to another possible crash; with Democrat primary turnout in the dumpster, the writing is on the wall.
How will it all come out in the end? Still unknown – lots of time between now and November. But it is no longer in the Democrats hands – they really can’t shape events and only luck will prevent a wipe out in November.
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