Tearful Martin Sabo (D) announces retirement from Congress

[quaoar]

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/03/18/saboretires/

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) Longtime U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo says he had a gut feeling it was time to end his 46-year career in politics.

The 68-year-old Democrat made the announcement today at a news conference in Minneapolis.

Sabo says he still has energy and good heath but doesn't want to run another re-election campaign.

"I think I can honestly say I've knocked more doors than anyone in the history of the state. Now, at age 68 it's time to stop. In my gut I know the time is right. It's time to open the door for a new generation of leadership," he said.

[napi21]

1. I understand why he would be tired after all that time. I just HOPE

Minn. finds another Dem to replace him!

[rodeodance]

2. yes, i hope so also.

[quaoar]

4. From a Bloomberg report:

Sabo’s district, which includes Minneapolis and its suburbs, is heavily Democratic. In the 2004 presidential election, 71 percent of voters there cast ballots for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, while 28 percent voted for President George W. Bush.

Sabo’s decision brings to nine the number of Democrats retiring from the House this year, compared with 17 Republicans.

< snip >

State Representative Keith Ellison and Minneapolis City Council member Gary Schiff, as well as peace studies professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer have said they will seek Sabo’s seat in his heavily Democratic district, the Associated Press reported.

[rodeodance]

3. they say it is Dem country

Minnesota's 5th District is considered a Democratic stronghold. Dozens of potential candidates could now step forward to seek the DFL endorsement.

State Representative Keith Ellisonand Minneapolis City Council member Gary Schiff say they're running. So is peace studies professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.

[Greeby]

5. From the bottom of the article

Minnesota's 5th District is considered a Democratic stronghold. Dozens of potential candidates could now step forward to seek the DFL endorsement.

State Representative Keith Ellisonand Minneapolis City Council member Gary Schiff say they're running. So is peace studies professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.-snip-

So long Sabo :patriot:

[EC]

6. Maybe this is where Franken steps in? n/t

[quaoar]

8. I think Franken is locked in on

Norm Coleman.

[Octafish]

7. Sabo's a good guy. He and Oberstar got FBI to investigate Moussaoui.

Otherwise, there might never have been an arrest of the "20th hijacker."

The strange case of Zacarias Moussaoui: FBI refused to investigate man charged in September 11 attacks

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/jan2002/mous-j05.shtml

[shenmue]

9. I'm sad to hear it...

but if that is what is best for him, so be it.

Thank you for a long career.

:D

I, too, hope we get another Dem. in there.

[xxqqqzme]

10. How refreshing - a Congressman retiring

with NO cloud of scandal following him or a family crying out for companionship!

[Odin2005]

11. Sabo was a good congressman.

Unfortunately, I'm stuck with Colin DINO Peterson up here.

[wellst0nev0ter]

12. Perhaps His Retirement Has Something To Do With This

Moments ago, the House of Representatives narrowly defeated an amendment proposed by Rep. Martin Sabo (D-MN) that would have provided $1.25 billion in desperately needed funding for port security and disaster preparedness. The Sabo amendment included:

– $300 million to enable U.S. customs agents to inspect high-risk containers at all 140 overseas ports that ship directly to the United States. Current funding only allows U.S. customs agents to operate at 43 of these ports.

– $400 million to place radiation monitors at all U.S. ports of entry. Currently, less than half of U.S. ports have radiation monitors.

– $300 million to provide backup emergency communications equipment for the Gulf Coast.

Meanwhile, the Bush budget – which most of the members who voted against this bill will likely support – contains an increase of $1.7 billion for missile defense, a program that doesn’t even work.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/03/16/port-security-funding/

After all the brouhaha over selling our ports to Dubai, and the Republicans still don't want to secure our ports, Sabo said "fuck it, there's no dealing with these insufferable grassfuckers. I'm too old for this type shit."