Rep. David Drier decides against seeking reelection

[Kablooie]

Veteran Rep. David Dreier, one of California's most influential Republicans in Congress, announced Wednesday that he won't be running for reelection, perhaps the biggest casualty of the state's first-ever citizens-drawn political map, which cast him into a politically inhospitable district.

Dreier is the sixth California House member to announce his retirement when his term expires, further shaking up a delegation that has built up clout on Capitol Hill because of its stability over the years.

Dreier, chairman of the House Rules Committee, made the announcement on the House floor, citing Congress' "abysmally low approval rating."

"The American people are asking for change in Congress," he said.

...

Elected to Congress in the 1980 Ronald Reagan landslide, the 59-year-old congressman is also head of the California GOP delegation.

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-david-drier-m,0,281442.story

[blm]

1. Must be tired of the smell in that dark closet he's been forced to live in as a Republican.

.

[truebrit71]

6. Right?

What's the over/under on when he comes out after leaving Congress??

[MADem]

10. He's finding old Christmas presents and last year's winter coats back in there! nt

[russspeakeasy]

2. Probably needs the time to count his money.

[SWTORFanatic]

3. Republicans capitulating in advance of Obama win. I love it!

[kenfrequed]

4. Again

Always run someone!

Never leave any seat completely unopposed.

[HughBeaumont]

5. Good riddance to that Free Traitor bastard.

The less championing for job offshoring in higher offices, the better.

[olegramps]

7. Translation: I got a great offer to lobby for my biggest campaign contributor.

[MADem]

8. How long before he pulls a Ken Mehlman? Anyone taking bets? nt

[SomeGuyInEagan]

9. In 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... (n/t)

[calimary]

11. Wouldn't surprise me. But then again, we must keep up appearances, mustn't we?

He was VERY carefully and relentlessly closeted, even in the face of everyone who suspected it. People like him (and mehlman too) don't dare come out til they think it's safe. What does that tell you about their narrow-minded, judgmental, pinched little world?

Glad he's going. Maybe we'll have a chance to replace him with someone reasonable - and more honest about themselves, gay OR straight. And preferably a Democrat!!!!!!

[Zambero]

12. Another soon-to-be-vacated Republican seat now in play

The forseeable future is looking bluer indeed!

[The Wizard]

13. Running as a gay Republican

won't work with the Tealiban running the Party.

[tblue37]

14. This comment annoys the heck out of me:

"Dreier, chairman of the House Rules Committee, made the announcement on the House floor, citing Congress' "abysmally low approval rating."



His comment casts that "abysmally low approval rating" as some strange external artifact, as though the behavior of Dreier and his Republican buddies in Congress are not the main cause of those "abysmally low approval ratings."