GOP congressman retires in a way that almost certainly hands seat to Dems

[Demovictory9]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/03/27/this-gop-congressman-just-demonstrated-what-a-headache-retirements-will-be-for-republicans-in-2018/?utm_term=.c94384a5dbcd

On Tuesday, Republicans got a reality check on just how much trouble retirements within their ranks can cause them as they try to retain control of the House of Representatives in November.

It happened in the outer Philadelphia suburbs. Rep. Ryan Costello (R) is retiring after two terms in Congress, and he did it in a way that almost certainly hands Democrats the seat.

----------

Whatever his reasons, Costello had decided to retire after the filing deadline for new candidates to enter the race had passed. That means Pennsylvania Republicans didn't have a chance to put a new candidate on the ballot, at least not without jumping through hoops that involved Costello staying on the ballot through the May primary. If Costello technically stepped aside after being nominated, the state Republican Party could pick someone to take his place. And then it could try to keep this seat, which has been in Republican hands since 2012.

But Tuesday, Costello said he wouldn't help them do that. As the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Tamari reports, Costello said he will pull his name off that primary ballot — he is retiring, after all — rather than run in the primary and drop out after he wins. That leaves little-known lawyer Greg McCauley as the only Republican on the ballot. Election analysts at Cook Political Report say he is too conservative for the district, and they give the upper hand to the Democrat in the race, Chrissy Houlahan.

[cannabis_flower]

1. Well..

Allrighty then

[erlewyne]

26. I listened to Costello an hour ago

I liked him and sure wished he was a democrat.

I would not have voted for him because he is not a democrat.

He impressed me.

[Volaris]

31. I would bet that he suspects exactly that response from a lot of Dems..

and this is his way of doing his own little bit for Country over Party, without actually having to 'dirty his hands', as it were, by openly switching parties. This way, he can claim he reitred as a Republican, AND fuck over the party in favor of a Dem Congress that will take it upon itself to solve the pResidental problem (which he knows damnwell the GOP WON'T do).
Just my thoughts with no further research.

PS..He DID pick a pretty effective way to fuck over his own party apparatus, didnt he? Perhaps he thinks this will be emulated?

[MagickMuffin]

2. Once again the republican party wants to cheat

Hey Ryan, just pretend you're running even though you said you are retiring. No one will ever know that! Pretty PLEASEEEE!

[Hortensis]

24. We do it also, finding ways to use the system to advantage.

This isn't a little before-dinner game of tiddly winks, after all. It's deadly serious.

Now for really dirty cheating, an attempt to defeat democracy itself, rather than just work around a rules problem, there's the census thread.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Costello interview this morning was interesting to say the least.

He knows he could not continue unless he switches sides. He still clings to his Right wing ideas which he admits will not work in that District.

My guess is this,the Rethugs are going to go all in with the hate politics type of campaign nation wide. Every Race will be attack the character of the Dem opponent and avoid any and all issues.

[groundloop]

23. that strategy pretty much sounds like business as usual for the repubs

[Wellstone ruled]

25. Appears personnal attack Politics of Trump

is the all in solution the Rethugs are going to use. The Focus Group use by some News Outfit with High School Students discussing Parkland and Guns is the go to model.. Keep screaming and the Dems will cave,Frank Luntz and Karl Rove model.

[Hekate]

4. Sounds to me like Costello is calling it quits with the GOP, not just retiring. nt

[SharonAnn]

20. That's how I read it. Disgusted with them for some reason?

[mvd]

5. That's my district. So happy..

because there can finally be a Democratic representative here! In fact, it is likely.

[BigmanPigman]

10. Maybe the Eagle win will spread to the Dems

in the Phila suburbs! I grew up in Phila and the suburbs outside of the "great northeast" and can't believe the gerrymandering that has occurred since I left 30+ years ago. I wonder if he was a rep from my former residence in Hunt. Vly.?

[mvd]

14. The gerrymandering was horrific

The 6th district spread out everywhere! Just a ridiculous drawing and the Supreme Court was absolutely right. That was a great Eagles win but a Democratic wave in November would be even better!

[dameatball]

6. Well, no Russian/NRA money for him!!!!

[thucythucy]

7. Yippee!!

[magicarpet]

8. What is up with this guy ?

Paul Ryan pee in his soup or something ?

[paleotn]

18. Conscience maybe?

but doubtful. Most Rethugs don't have souls, much less a conscience.

[LiberalArkie]

9. I think that there are a lot of Republicans who believed certain things and do not want to

be a part of what the party became.

[FakeNoose]

11. This looks like a nice opportunity for PA Democrats!

Go Dems - Make it a BLUE Year!

[longship]

12. Here's her pic.

[flibbitygiblets]

27. Aww! I know it's not supposed to matter, but she is adorable!!

[SallyHemmings]

13. So thats what he sounds like

I have seen my “Representative” more in the last three days than his entire tenure.

[Blue_true]

15. I read up on Chrissy Houlahan, she is impressive.

Will be a massive upgrade for that district. Take nothing for granted, she still need to run an active, smart campaign, as it looks like she is already doing.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. If you can't win an election with a lady named Houlahan in Philly

you can't win an election

[Fritz Walter]

17. Excuse me: ''Retires''?

After decades of dedicated work in the FBI, Andrew McCabe was looking forward to a well-earned retirement, and then Cadet Bone Spurs had the Keebler-elf-from-Hell fire him hours before he would have become eligible for a pension.
If this shit-stain on the underwear of our republic draws a penny from the US Treasury after he leaves office, it’s time for pitchforks and real (not Home-Depot-bought-tiki-) torches.

[Major Nikon]

22. Different retirement systems

I haven’t looked into the particulars, but McCabe is probably vested and will still eventually get a retirement, just not as good as he would have.

[Marcuse]

30. He will not get early retirement with full benefits. He will have to wait.

McCabe and Comey sprung the October Weiner surprise, so I won’t cry for them.

[Orange Free State]

19. Wonder why he timed it that way?

Did he do it because he wanted to monkey wrench Trump? Is it his way of saying that he is not satisfied with the direction of the Republican Party? Interesting to say the least.

[PJMcK]

21. Sucks to be a Republican these days, doesn't it?

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

[IronLionZion]

28. This is why Dems need to always have candidates ready everywhere

for when opportunities like this fall into our laps. We can make a lot of inroads in suburban moderate districts in many parts of the country where they might have soured on Trump or at least not be enthusiastic partisan supporters.

Ride this big blue wave to victory and run Trump and Pence into prison

[pwb]

29. If he only did two terms he has no pension coming.

Congressman need at least five years vested interest to get any pension and then he can't collect until age 62. He was a two term congressman which means he only has four years service. This guy is quitting not retiring .