Does anyone know why Wexler resigned?

[garybeck]

He was one of my favorites and I can't find much explanation for his resignation online.

Just wondering what happened.

(doesn't have anything to do with cocaine and prostitutes does it?? :) )

thanks.

[hlthe2b]

1. I thought he was taking a position with the administration...

but it was never announced... so :shrug:

[garybeck]

3. that would surprise me... he's too liberal don't you think? n/t

[hlthe2b]

10. Perhaps that's why it has never been announced...

The emails I received way back announcing his decision hinted at that, though.

[SharonRB]

2. He's one of my faves, too.

I was very disappointed when I heard he wasn't running again.

[rwheeler31]

4. He is special envoy to Israel.

[garybeck]

21. I'm confused

is he a special envoy to Isreal (a government position) or is he heading a think-tank on middle east peace (as mentioned in another reply)?

[SteppingRazor]

5. He got a new job...

running the Center for Middle East Peace think tank. At least, that's the announced reason. Whether there's anything deeper, I don't know. He certainly wouldn't have any problem being re-elected. His district is overwhelmingly Democratic, and his hand-picked replacement is a shoo-in to follow him.

[EFerrari]

7. Damn. I really liked him.

:(

[Hippo_Tron]

6. He went to go run the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation

My guess is that he felt he couldn't do much as a back-bencher in congress.

[umyeah]

8. Might....

....have been because he wasn't living in his home district, if that's the same person i'm thinking of. Home was in Maryland, but "lived" in Florida.

[SteppingRazor]

12. Nah. That was a tempest in a teapot, generated by his Republican opponent in the 2008 election. n/t

[umyeah]

13. So...

....he was actually from Florida?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

16. Um, yeah.

And living in his district, I've seen first hand how involved he's been here and his appearances at event after event after event. There was no story to that story.

[CreekDog]

18. Most members have homes in the DC area

are they going to live in a hotel room for months at a time?

not only that but maintaining two full residences (one in expensive DC Metro) even on their salary is not exactly easy.

[SoCalDem]

22. Hmmm Like mary Bonehead Bono "living " in So Cal, while married to a congressman

who "lives" in Florida.. and yet BOTH of them live in DC...like that??

Or like Liddy Dole who hadn;t "lived" in NC in DECADES, but who "used Mommy's address" so she could be senator?? like that??


or like Sanctimonious Santorum, whose kids attended a chi-chi school near DC, while the PA folks paid for it, asnd his "residence" in PA was a tacky rental he owned...like that??

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. Apparently it was to join a think-tank of sorts for Middle East peace.

That's what I heard. I'm in his district.

The district is heavily Democratic so there's virtually no risk of losing the seat. The election is next month and the most likely winner will be Ted Deutch, a state senator. He's a decent enough guy and a solid Dem....maybe a little too much emphasis on Israeli affairs, but other than that I can't complain. And he's a heck of a nice guy personally. He sure beats the other Dem candidate, Ben Graber--a turn coat a-hole who challenged Wexler last go around for no good reason other than to fulfill a personal vendetta.

[SteppingRazor]

11. Tommy, you're in Wexler's district?

I'm in Klein's! :hi:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

14. Ahh, very cool.

Klein's not perfect (who is?), but he sure as hell beats Clay Shaw.

Interesting thing about Florida State Senate District 30. It was held by Wexler, who was then elected to Congress and replaced by Klein, who was then elected to congress and replaced by Deutch, who will likely be elected to Congress. It pays to hold that seat, I guess.

[SteppingRazor]

20. True. And as for Deutch...

I know you said "He's a decent enough guy and a solid Dem....maybe a little too much emphasis on Israeli affairs, but other than that I can't complain" but hey, you could really say the same thing about Wexler, no?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

25. True.

The demographics of the district almost require it, so I can certainly understand it.

Wexler endorsed Deutch from the get-go. Knowing the pull he has in the district, that makes Deutch a shoe-in.

[unabelladonna]

27. wexler's district here as well

hello!

[RockaFowler]

19. I used to live in Klein's district, too

Now I'm in PSL with Rooney. :puke:

By the way, Wexler was one of the best Congressman. He also was one of the least rich Congressman. He had to provide for his family and that's why he left Congress. It's a shame.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

26. Tim Mahoney literally screwed himself out of that seat.

Politicians and sex scandals. It will never end. Oh well.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

15. Because he enjoyed cocaine and prostitutes

<If you don't get the joke just move on... it's not a knock on Wexler>

[goldcanyonaz]

17. That was so funny! LOL!

Love Colbert!

[southernyankeebelle]

23. I understand he wanted to work for some Jewish Organization. I think in DC (not sure)

[MagickMuffin]

24. Email I received on Oct 14

Today, with both sadness and excitement, I announced that I am leaving Congress in January to accept the position of President of the Center for Middle East Peace, a non-profit institute devoted to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East

This decision was not easy: I love my job and my devoted staff, and have a long, close relationship with my constituents – many of whom I’ve served for nearly 20 years.

Throughout my 13 years in Congress, I sought to be an advocate for democratic values and provide a voice to vitally important progressive causes. Whether it was working to end the use of torture by the Bush Administration, fighting for a legitimate vote during election 2000, successfully pushing for a voter verified paper trail in Florida, or our shared quest for genuine accountability these last few years – I’m proud of the stands I’ve taken. I am even prouder to have had you standing with me.

Those who have followed my career know that in addition to the progressive causes I have championed, one of my overriding passions has been my work on the Foreign Affairs Committee helping to ensure the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel, and promoting a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians and Israel and the Arab world.

While I regret that I will be unable to complete my current term in office, I truly believe we are at a unique and critically tense moment in the history of the Middle East and decisions made today will shape the world for years to come. There is no time to waste.

The work on issues of accountability did not start with me, nor will it end with me leaving office. This movement has always been driven by you – and your support for the vital causes we have worked on together.

One of the great lessons I learned in my time in Congress I learned from you - and it is this:
If you stand up for and defend the constitution and rule of law, you will gain the support of hundreds of thousands of citizens across the country.

Thank you for having being part of my team and, most especially, for being brave American patriots.

With warm regards,


Congressman Robert Wexler



I will always :loveya: me some Wexler. And I hated to see him leave Congress. We really needed his voice.