US Rep. Brad Miller won't seek another term in Congress
Washington — U.S. Rep. Brad Miller will not run for another term in Congress, he said in a statement released to his supporters early Thursday.
Miller, who has served North Carolina in Washington since 2002, said the Republican-controlled legislature “dismantled” the 13th district when they redrew voting maps in July. The new maps put Miller into the 4th District with political ally and fellow Democrat David Price. Miller said Thursday he didn't want to run against Price.
“I told David within a week of the election last year that with the Republicans in control of redistricting, we would almost certainly be drawn into the same district,” Miller said in his statement. “I had two choices: run in a primary with David, or not seek another term.”
Miller will hold a press conference Thursday morning at 11 a.m. to discuss his decision.
More here:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/10646398/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
zazen
(2,978 posts)of a pretty mediocre 26-year stint in Congress. He's not a real national leader on anything, while Brad was out in front on the abuses in the mortgage industry in 2004. Make no mistake--this redistricting was always aimed at Brad, because he's called out the TBTF banks, particularly Bank of America, headquartered in his own state.
David's been dropping broad hints that he'd retire in two years and then oddly, when the redistricting occurred, he avoided any direct conversation with Brad, and his staff arrogantly informed Brad's that the district would of course be David's. Guess they felt keeping their jobs supporting David on what?--all of his cutting-edge work on the appropriations committee?--was more important than supporting an aggressive, unapologetic voice for financial reform. Gotta love our establishment NC Dems.
Alan Grayson said of Brad, "there are very few persons in Congress willing to tell a well-connected lobbyist to get lost. Brad is one of those people."
Thank goodness we have the "avuncular," "conciliatory" David Price to continue negotiating with Republicans instead of standing up to them.
The better man has fallen on his sword.
The funny thing is, David thinks he's "won," but as the facts come out, his reputation among Triangle progressives will be damaged permanently. So he could have left at the top of his career as the gracious 70-something stepping aside for a younger national leader on financial reform--now he'll be seen as a selfish, petty, DLC-founding establishment Dem. Congratulations, David. You drove out a serious voice of the people for no other reason than you just didn't want to let go, and for a guy that busted his ass for you in the 80s. Lots to be proud of there.
Alcibiades
(5,061 posts)Price was elected from my district, but does not represent me. At a point in his career when he ought to play an important leadership role, he remained pretty much a backbencher. He's Assistant Whip now, but maintains a rather low profile in the district. He's good at persuing pet projects and reaching out to the GOP, and he has some plum committee assignments that do bring cash back to the district, but I think we can do better.
He'll win this time, but next time I think we ought to find someone to primary him.
zazen
(2,978 posts)You can see it in its entirety at Bob Geary's blog site at the Independent. http://www.indyweek.com/citizen/archives/2012/01/26/brad-miller-will-leave-congress-wont-seek-re-election-in-2012
In the face of the financial crisis, and all that we have learned since then, I have been determined to do all within my power to reform our economy so that we never suffer another financial crisis, and to hold those responsible for the crisis accountable.
There have been some real accomplishments. The predatory mortgage legislation that I first introduced in 2004 was included in the financial reform legislation signed by President Obama in 2010, as was the creation of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
I have introduced other legislation that has yet to become law, and will not this year under a Republican Congress, but that has changed the debate on financial reform. I introduced legislation to allow the judicial modification of mortgages in bankruptcy, to break up the biggest banks, to end some of the conflicts of interest by the biggest banks, to make it easier for consumers to change banks, to provide tough legal requirements for how banks “service” mortgages, and on and on. Those issues will not go away and will be the beginning of a reform agenda for the future.
Alcibiades
(5,061 posts)I wonder if this is related to Perdue not seeking reelection? Perhaps he will announce for that race shortly.
bathroommonkey76
(3,827 posts)Alcibiades
(5,061 posts)Whole thing looks like an orchestrated response to the GOP gerrymander: Price gets to run unopposed in my district, Miller gets support for his race for the governor.
bathroommonkey76
(3,827 posts)It isn't shocking to me that they were that quick with their support. We need a Dem candidate ASAP.
There are a couple of other candidates considering a possible run... Former Congressman Bob Etheridge and former NC State Treasurer Richard Moore.
Evasporque
(2,133 posts)Instead lets attack the remaining Democrat....
zazen
(2,978 posts)I blame the Republican state legislature, who forced Brad, a vocal critic of Bank of America, out, and is trying to get rid of some Blue Dogs like Heath Shuler and Larry Kissell as well.
And I stand by my criticism of Price. Of course, he's preferable to the rest of the nuts in the NC Republican Delegation, with the exception perhaps of Walter Jones, who's been reliably anti-war for quite a while now. But his and his campaign's behavior in this situation has been loathsome, as will become clear when more facts are allowed to come out.
judesedit
(4,438 posts)That will end all of this redistricting bullshit.
Alcibiades
(5,061 posts)While I agree with you that the electoral college isn't necessary and favor fundamental reforms that would include but also go beyond merely eliminating the electoral college, the electoral college really does not have anything to do with this: Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution gives state legislatures the power to set up congressional districts. The electoral college itself is covered in Article II and the 12th Amendment, and is only relevant here as pertains to the number of electors.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)to get involved in local and state offices. The Republicans now dominate state legislatures. Had we Democrats been more proactive instead of being angry at Obama and taking it out on good Democrats at the local and state level, we wouldn't be in this mess.
The Republicans are kicking our collective ass at the local level.
We MUST be more proactive and get people to support progressives or moderate Democrats (if in marginal districts) at the local and state levels.
Alcibiades
(5,061 posts)much of this has to do with the fact that there's a different electorate in presidential years and non-presidential years. Older, more affluent voters are more likely to vote in midterms than, say, the younger coalition of 2008.
Good news it that coattails will be back for 2012, and we'll have another crack at Congress.
slay
(7,670 posts)a popular Dem here in NC David Price. FUCK THE REPUBLICANS i hate them with a fiery passion - Miller was my rep here and he was actually one of the good ones! argh! 