Rep.Gordon...Wonder if he will go to work in the Insurance industry...

[Tippy]

Blue Dog Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) today becomes the latest Congressional retirement in a seat that could be a prime pick up for the Republicans next year.

Gordon, 60, announced in a statement he will not seek reelection next year after serving more than 25 years in Congress.

He is chair's of the House Science and Technology Committee.

Both Gordons and John Tanners Districts were once solid Democratic Districts, not so any more...But their votes on HC showed us where their hearts were...Last week I read an article that said something about Republicans planting seeds...So I wonder if they will have jobs in the HC/ Insurance industry..

[TornadoTN]

1. Gordon's retirement was necessitated by angry dems and the surge of tea baggers

It's happening all over the state (and most likely the country). DINO's aren't getting the support that they could usually count on from the rank & file democratic men and women in Tennessee. They hitched their stake to "Hope" and "Change" and they haven't delivered.

Volunteers in local Democratic offices are running thin - many people have said that it can be equated with the feeling of "What's the use?". Others, victims of the economic collapse. In my local district, I backed out of running for a state house seat because the party is more like a social club rather than actually accomplishing anything of substance. Each time I pushed to get something moving in the campaign, we were rebuffed by the old guard and told that we weren't being conservative enough.

I'm close to giving up on this state entirely.

[jtylerpittman]

2. not conservitive enough?

As in not Republican enough?

[SharonAnn]

3. Yes, That's right. Not "conservative" enough. Not protecting power and money.

[TornadoTN]

4. Exactly as how I interpreted it at the time as well

I understand that a hard-line liberal is going to have a tough time getting elected in TN. I'm not exactly hard-line, but I'm soundly in favor of most progressive values and principles.

Their exact words to me were "Well, you're a great candidate but you aren't blue dog enough right now - but we'll fix that".

No way I was having any part of it.

[Tippy]

6. Right at one time not conservative enough fit the bill

But today not Republican enough...Oh hell I'm a Yellow Dog and will never change...

[Tippy]

5. I've been involved with our County Party for years...Since Gore ran ...

We had trouble getting younger people involved, the older ones supported the county party, but for the lack of a better way to put it I began going ot a lot of funerals...Some still tried to do what they could up the party needed more ours was a strong Democratic County, but Gore who lived 30 miles down the interstate didn't even carry our County....I will never be conservative enough peroid...Just called Gordon's office, Billy G wasn't in yet, I may not call back. I have known for some time this might happen...

[jtylerpittman]

7. what are the chances this seat can be held

Is there a chance?

[Tippy]

8. We have one here in our County who might be interested

But I can tell you right now he would be another Blue Dog. He started to lean that way the minute he was elected to the State House.