Rep. Mike Ross the Latest Blue Dog Dem to Not Seek Reelection

[cal04]

http://nationaljournal.com/politics/rep-mike-ross-the-latest-blue-dog-dem-to-not-seek-reelection-20110725

Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., will not seek reelection in 2012, according to a senior source, becoming the fourth moderate Blue Dog Democrat to head to the exits this year after a midterm election cycle that decimated their ranks.

Ross was first elected in 2000 and is now Arkansas’ lone Democrat in the four-member House delegation. Ross’s retirement makes his House seat a prime battleground for 2012, one that Republicans believe they can pick up. The current district favored Republicans at the national level, voting 58 percent for John McCain in 2008. Under the state’s already-approved redistricting plan, it becomes slightly more Republican.

Despite his district’s preference for Republican presidential candidates, Ross won consistently by comfortable margins. He didn’t even face Republican opposition in two of the last four elections, a sign of his popularity. But he won 57 percent last year, his lowest total since his first re-election.

Ross was singled out by National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions and NRCC Vice Chair Greg Walden at a briefing last week as one of 12 House seats they believed they could defeat in 2012. The NRCC has also already run a radio ad in April against Ross after he didn’t vote in favor of a budget.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Well then Rove's little Crossroads has wasted a ton of money running ads against him for

the last 3 months. This has been on my TV about 4 times a day.

http://www.thearkansasproject.com/ross-vs-crossroads-lets-watch-a-vide/

[iwishiwas]

3. Could be that these Rove ads was a major factor in Ross

deciding not to run. He knew what he was up against. Just a thought.

[FBaggins]

7. Sounds more like the ads served their purpose.

Their chance of winning that seat just took a big step forward. Add in redistricting and it moves from a seat that he would still likely hold to one that leans R pickup.

[WhiteTara]

2. our governor has drawn his redistricting to

protect that seat, so I hope it works.

[kctim]

4. Great news for progressives

Seeing how they believe ALL of us moderate Dems really want a progressive rep, they can now run progressive candidates and get them elected in our districts.
No more excuses.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. GOOD! The fewer Blue Dogs in Congress, the better. n/t

[AndyTiedye]

8. Unless They Get Replaced by Teabaggers Like They Were Last Year

[FBaggins]

10. Exactly.

Politics isn't a binary subject.

[onenote]

12. so you think its good that we will be one seat further away from regaining control of the House?

And one vote further away from retaking the Speaker's chair? Because in all liklihood, when you celebrate Ross' retirement, that's the result you are celebrating.

[Flubadubya]

6. Fabulous news! He's my blue dog damned representative... UGGHH!!

Whom I haven't voted for at least 5 or 6 different times. I did in the 2010 election because it was so critical to have ANYONE with a D behind their name to be in the House... but we see how futile that was. Besides, Ross is a genuine Republican, just without the R behind his name.

I hear he has ambitions for higher positions within the state government, e.g. Governor even. :puke:

I just hope we can get a progressive in that seat now, but I won't hold my breath. Of course the rethugs think they can win that seat, but I kind of doubt it... at least I hope. Nevertheless, given the conservative nature of this Bible-belt country, it'll be a slim chance to get a progressive in that seat, but I'm damned sure going to find out what the word is and will work hard to support one, if possible.

Good riddance to really bad rubbish, nonetheless! :thumbsup:

[onenote]

13. in what version of reality is a district that voted 58 percent for McCain

going to elect a "progressive"? Please explain.

[Flubadubya]

14. I'm sorry...

Did you read the post? Here, let me give you a little excerpt of it:

"...given the conservative nature of this Bible-belt country, it'll be a slim chance to get a progressive in that seat"

Now, I did say I would like to see a progressive in that seat and I would be willing to support one should he/she come along. What am I going to do, support another freakin' blue dog or, worse, any Rethug candidate? Hell no! :grr:

My "version of reality" does allow for wishing for the best outcome while fully realizing it is highly unlikely. It also demands that I support any good candidate who represents real Democratic values. Why not? :shrug:

[SidDithers]

9. Surely a progressive will win his seat now...nt

Sid

[FBaggins]

11. You forgot the sarcasm tag. n/t