Olympia Snow, of Maine, one of the few Republicans that is not an embarrassment to the rest of humanity, will retire. She’s had enough of the political climate her compatriots have created:
…she said she was swayed by the increasing polarization in Washington.
“Unfortunately, I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term,” Snowe said in a statement. “So at this stage of my tenure in public service, I have concluded that I am not prepared to commit myself to an additional six years in the Senate, which is what a fourth term would entail.”
There is a pretty good chance that she will be replaced with a Democrat.
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Links to books and other items on this page and elsewhere on Greg Ladens' blog may send you to Amazon, where I am a registered affiliate. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps to fund this site.
I don’t understand why she’s quitting, since there’s already a mostly sane but conservative-leaning party waiting for her.
Azkyroth – Was that a joke?
I agree. I always thought she should become democrat
She’s well to the right of Ben Nelson, why on earth would she become a Democrat? Or more importantly, why would the Democrats accept her? She’s supported every McConnell filibuster.
Exactly what Midnight Rambler said. Her alleged “moderate” status never affected her voting record, which AFAICT was straight party line. That makes her no better, and indeed no different, than the rest of the GOP in my book.
Actually she and Susan Collins do not vote strict party line. The two Maine senators joined the democrats several times to move legislation along. Snowe supports women’s reproductive health control (pro-choice), rights for homosexuals, and environmental protection. Is she a liberal? Not hardly, but to make sweeping generalizations about her voting record and positions with your gut is kind of asinine.
I haven’t been following her career for very long, but during the time I have, her voting record has been unimpressive. I realize that she has been in the Senate for some time, but I haven’t the time to go back through all of her votes, and the only thing I’ve seen her break ranks for in the past 4 years is the unemployment extension. What other votes do you refer to?
Snowe was generally reasonable at least when I lived in Maine. When you are a member of a party you are not free to vote any way you want if you expect to accomplish anything. There can be a time when you can no longer compromise. That time has come for Snowe.
@Dalillama Since you admit ignorance of her voting record, why are you posting comments about how bad her voting record is? I disagree with many of her positions, which is why she has an (R) and I have a (D) next to our respective names. However, I think she has many, but not all, of her positions for valid reasons. There can be a difference in opinion for the role of government, etc.
So, as far as you know her voting record was straight party line, but basically you haven’t a clue and are pulling this knowledge (AFAICT) straight out of your ass.
Go here and see for yourself. FYI it took me ~15 seconds to find this information myself, glad I could do your research for you. In case you are too lazy to bother looking here are a couple of rather big things she voted against her party on recently. Yes she generally votes along party lines, including many things I think she is wrong about, but she is not in lockstep with the far right as you suggest.
Dec. 1, 2011 S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected – Senate
(20 – 78) Snowe voted for it
Oct. 20, 2011 S Amdt 769 Authorizes Individuals to Import FDA-Approved Drugs from Canada Amendment Rejected – Senate (45 – 55) Snowe voted for it.
Aug. 5, 2010 PN 1768 Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed – Senate
(63 – 37) Snowe voted for it.
Oh, yes, the classic “Moderate” Republican tactic of making a show of principle by voting against the party line when Republican victory is a foregone conclusion anyway. The vote for Kagan qualifies as breaking party lines, but is hardly sufficient to pull her significantly above her party mates. Looking at her past positions, it seems she earned the moderate reputation in the 90s, but she supported Bush almost from the beginning, and the few policies she opposed his administration on she has since voted in favor of (notably the Bush tax cuts of 2003). I don’t care in the slightest what she has said that she supports, any more than I do for any other politician. I care that she has consistently worked with the people who have been trying to destroy the U.S. economy out of spite, and who have been responsible for the bloodiest wars of the century to date. Actions speak louder that words, and the action of associating oneself with the Republicans, and voting for their policies on a routine basis tells me all that I need to know about a politician.