Approps members scramble as Cochran mulls retirement

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: The Hill

The senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Thad Cochran, will soon announce whether he will retire from the upper chamber, a decision that could further shake up a powerful panel and even give Democrats hope of picking up a seat in the GOP stronghold of Mississippi.

Cochran says he will make an announcement after Mississippi’s statewide elections, which are on Nov. 6.

When asked Tuesday if he would definitely run for reelection, Cochran told The Hill, “No, I didn’t say that. I’m preparing to run for reelection, but I haven’t made an official announcement.”

His retirement would open up a battle for a key spot on the Appropriations Committee, which already is losing Republican Sens. Pete Domenici (N.M.), Larry Craig (Idaho) and Wayne Allard (Colo.) to retirement. The panel also may see Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) relinquish her seat in the Senate in the middle of the next Congress to pursue a bid for the governor’s office.


Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/approps-members-scramble-as-cochran-mulls-retirement-2007-10-31.html

[KingFlorez]

1. I think the Democrats could definately pick up this seat if Cochran retires

Especially if the former State Atty. General Mike Moore jumps in the race.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Definately?

Mississippi has elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1980.

[KingFlorez]

7. The climate is very different

2008 will not be a good year for Republicans and the Democrats would have a very strong candidate in Mike Moore. That's not hard to understand if you look at the current political trends.

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. He may be a stong candidate, but 'definitely' is a pretty strong word for

a Democrat running for the Senate in a state like Mississippi. Keep in mind that Bush carried that state by about 20% in 2004.

[Demeter]

2. Another Drop of Good News!

What we really need though is a deluge to put out the fires.

[zalinda]

4. Now isn't it just like them, repubs screw up the country

so badly it's a disaster, but won't stay around to clean it up. If the repubs are the daddy's then dems must be the mommy's.

zalinda

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. My belief is that Cochran wants to get going while the goings good

And the GOP is trying to persuade him to stay.

I'm interested in seeing how this one plays out.

[gratuitous]

6. Finger firmly in the wind, Cochran weighs his options

If it looks like Mississippi has at last grown weary of Republican corruption and shenanigans, and if the populace has finally tired of getting the shitty end of the stick, Cochran will be gone like a fart in a tornado.

But if it looks like Mississippi is as full of dumbass hicks as popular culture portrays, then Cochran will try for another six year ride on the Free Lunch Express, shitting on people's plates every time he comes back for a visit.

Do the right thing, Mississippi.