REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL RETIREMENTS ACCELORATING

The cascade of Midwest Republican congressional retirement announcements this month is great news for DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen. CVH actually took on a Republican to win his own Maryland seat but it was a tough race, and not every Democrat has a helpful state legislature to gerrymander a district around the edges. Van Hollen knows that the surest bet for changing a seat from red to blue is for the red candidate to disappear-- either through retirement or prison.

Mary Jo Kilroy was likely to defeat Deborah Pryce next year in a second head to head match up, which may have had something to do with Pryce's "graceful" departure decision. It isn't as clear that John Laesch would have overtaken badly damaged put still popular-- at least among Republicans and low-information voters-- Planet Denny Hastert. My guess is that John would have come much closer to winning, more in the 45-50% range, setting Hastert up for a more likely defeat-- or face-saving retirement-- in 2010. Instead, Hastert will save himself the death by 1,000 cuts and do his face saving while he's still vaguely ahead-- although John took a big bite out of him last year. Now voters in IL-14 won't have the added complexity of a sentimental incumbency to deal with. They can just decide if they want a real change-- in terms of Iraq, medical care, fairness, etc-- or if they want more of the same failed, even catastrophic, policies. John Laesch and his positive, can-do message of hope and change and a better America is likely to beat either of the two far right Republican extremists vying for Hastert's seat. (John first has to contend with a rich Blue Dog who is trying to buy the Democratic nomination.)

Even less likely to have gone down to defeat is Hastert ally Ray LaHood in west-central Illinois (IL-18, Peoria). But like many Americans, LaHood has had enough. He's already announced his retirement plans. But with LaHood out of the way and a strong Democratic year shaping up across the Midwest, IL-18 will be in play. Several faceless more-of-the-same rubber stamp Republican zombies have already appeared on the scene to claim the seat, State Rep. Aaron Schock and former Peoria City councilman John Morris being two of the best known. Lurking are State Rep. David Leitch and Little LaHood, his son Darren.

When LaHood Sr. announced his plans, many in the district expected State Senator John Sullivan, a Blue Dog type Democrat, to jump in. He's since demurred. Another frequently mentioned possibility is Peoria County state's attorney Kevin Lyons. But today the well-respected chief circuit judge, Richard Grawey, said he is considering the run. "As a judge, I think I have a good reputation in town for fairness and honesty. I think it's a wide-open primary. It's definitely a winnable race for a Democrat." Other Democrats considering the race include former state Rep Bill Edley and state appeals judge Sue Myerscough.

Congressional Quarterly reports this morning that two more old Republicans, James Saxton (NJ) and C.W. Bill Young (FL) are inching towards retirement. Young is probably more responsible for the tragedy that befell our wounded military vets at Water Reed Hospital than anyone else in Congress. He knew and he consciously covered up for the Bush Regime. This makes him more politically vulnerable than he's ever been before-- and in a district that has been trending distinctly purple.


UPDATE: TONY SNOW AND OTHER REPUBLICAN HACKS FROM THE REGIME ARE ALSO RESIGNING

They've done their damage, wrecked our country, and now they're scurrying away like rats from the SS Bush. Not just Rove and Hastert, but dozens of Regime functionaries. Tony Snow made his announcement today. Rove was earlier in the week. Hastert is up tomorrow. Many more will follow. Hopefully the long arm of the law won't let them all slip away.