MORE REPUBLICAN RETIREMENTS-- NEW JERSEY AND WYOMING

Yesterday the NY Times announced that 12-term rubber stamp Republican Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ-03) has decided to retire. The Blue-trending South Jersey district looked like a tough one for a re-election bid after Saxton refused to support the popular S-CHIP legislation and has continued to support, without questions, Bush's highly unpopular war policies in Iraq. Saxton has prostate cancer and is 64 and wasn't looking forward to the grief and the probably defeat by a strong Democratic opponent, State Senator John Adler.

The NRCC has asked State Senator Diane Allen to run. She says she's "considering" their request. Saxton is the 15th Republican to announce retirement plans so far-- and he won't be the last.

In fact #16 comes today when far right loon Barbara Cubin announces she's out. She hasn't shown up in Congress this year more than a handful of times and hasn't raised any money for a re-election campaign. She's widely derided throughout the state and disliked even in the Republican Party. Last year a recount showed she scraped by with a fraction of a percent, less than 1,000 votes. And last year's opponent, Gary Trauner, is far better known now than he was then-- and running again. Had she not decided to retire on her own, she would have faced several Republicans in a primary.

Democrats were eager for her to stay on since she is viewed as a weak candidate who would be relatively easy to defeat. She's been on the wrong side of every important issue since she first got to Congress. State Rep. Colin Simpson is the likely Republican replacement, although there is likely to be a bloody and divisive primary battle.

Who will be #17? Heavy betting is on Bill Young of Florida but while you think about it, consider one ad that Cubin won't have to face now:




UPDATE: NO TEARS FOR CUBIN

A great deal of consternation has been caused by all the GOP congressmen opting to get jobs as lobbyists instead of running for Congress next year. The party is distraught because it is far more difficult-- and far more expensive-- to defend an open seat than an incumbent. But there are always exceptions-- and one just resigned to the delight of Republicans near and far. Barbara Cubin will not be missed-- by anyone (except maybe Gary Trauner).