Rep. Conyers: Im retiring today

[brooklynite]

Source: Detroit News

Embattled U.S. Rep. John Conyers, the longest-serving member of Congress, will retire, rather than seek re-election amid allegations that he sexually harassed staffers, he said Tuesday.

Conyers made the announcement Tuesday morning from a Detroit hospital during a phone interview on The Mildred Gaddis Show, 102.7 FM, in which he said the accusations against him will absolutely not affect his legacy.

My legacy cant be compromised or diminished in anyway by what were going through now. This too shall pass. My legacy will continue through my children, Conyers said. ...Im retiring today.

He endorsed his son, John Conyers III, to succeed him in Congress.

Read more: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/05/conyers-retire-resign-says-relative/108325662/

---

...and according to the New York Times, his grand nephew may run as well.

Anyone know what the rules of dynastic succession say?

[George II]

1. Even further, he's retiring as of today.

[yallerdawg]

2. Very good, Mr. Conyers.

Nancy Pelosi said you would do the right thing - and you did.

And "dynastic succession?"

Anyone can run. Everyone can vote. We call that democracy!

[brooklynite]

3. ...and Conyers could have kept his mouth shut about a successor.

Far too many autocrats seems to think the only adequate replacement is their own progeny. Conyers shouldn't be joining in.

[Demit]

5. Wow. Yet another rule. Where do voters fit in, in your rule book?

[brooklynite]

8. The voters have a right to vote for who they want; Conyers has a right to endorse his son...

I have a right to be disdainful of people who use their political clout to promote their own family members.

[SharonClark]

24. Hear! Hear!

[Tom Rinaldo]

28. Perfectly stated. n/t

[Demit]

30. Of course you do. And I have a right to disdain your wanting it to be a "rule."

I hope we now have straightened out what everybody's rights are

[Hortensis]

41. He doesn't, Demit. That was a joke.

You seem to be in a combative mood. Maybe put it to good use by finding a Republican to kick? A whole bunch over on DI who really deserve it.

[Demit]

43. I'm all for humor.

Which part was funny? Where the OP called Conyers an autocrat, or where he/she said Conyers should keep his mouth shut? Enlighten me.

[Hortensis]

47. Brooklynite's a good Democrat, Demit,

and I don't understand the hostility being expressed. A lot of it is following Brooklynite around lately, and that's not okay. This is DU. We're all supposed to be on the same general team here.

[Demit]

53. Well I don't understand your insistence on making things personal.

I don't attack posters personally. I focus on ideas. So back off.

[Hortensis]

55. Just a misunderstanding of the ideas being expressed.

Glad to hear it.

[George II]

38. The voters will vote for who they want. Just because Conyers endorsed his son he'll win?

[BoneyardDem]

58. and you have the right to continually badger those that don't speak "Brooklynite" values.

and you've done so very well.

[brooklynite]

59. Psst...can I let you in on a secret?

This is a political blog. We state our opinions about politics here.

You're welcome to either ignore or criticize anything I say. I don't care.

[BoneyardDem]

60. I don't care either...yet look, reponses

[yallerdawg]

9. What would his son think...

if his own father wouldn't endorse him?

What would the voters think?

So now we hold just Democrats to a higher moral standard (the Dotard) and now let's throw in family loyalty (Bush and Bush 2.0)?

How many more ways can we find to lose elections and representatives?

[brooklynite]

14. This is an absolutely safe Democratic district...the voters can choose whomever they want.

Are you saying that only the Conyers family can produce qualified candidates?

[yallerdawg]

17. I'm saying...

we can't say any members of the Conyers' family are disqualified.

Safe? Remember Ted Kennedy's safe seat?

When an incumbent goes down, it becomes a lot more probable that anything can happen.

[MichMan]

20. Monica should be disqualified

His wife Monica should be disqualified. She was convicted of accepting bribes a few years ago while City Council President and served time in jail.

Her term as City Council president was controversial due to infighting with other council members etc.

[yallerdawg]

23. Is she legally disqualified from running for office?

You can "disqualify" her in the voting booth.

As you know, we elect criminals all the time.

[brooklynite]

22. There's a difference between "disqualified" and "unendorsed"

And yes, there's an immense difference between a D +32 House seat and a Senate seat in a State that has a history of also electing Republicans statewide. (See: Mitt Romney).

[SharonClark]

26. Thank you.

[yallerdawg]

27. You have a serious beef with Conyers' son.

In general, we don't disqualify family members because someone has held office.

I can't imagine why a father wouldn't endorse his son - under any circumstances.

Conyers did the right thing. Endorsing his son just makes him wrong all over again?

What do you want - a sharp razor and a warm bath? Jeez!

[MichMan]

31. Dont live in his district, so doesn't matter to me

I just hope Detroit elects someone who is qualified to serve the constituents of the district. John Conyers III may be the greatest next political superstar, but with zero political experience, not convinced he is up to the job or not.

Detroit has made some poor choices in the past (Kwame Kilpatrick, Monica Conyers, Charles Pugh) , I hope they get the representation they deserve with all the challenges they face.

[yallerdawg]

33. I reckon there's a number of things that can disqualify a candidate.

Being a "son" is not one of them.

Of course, the voters may determine it is a disqualification - in the voting booth. They "disqualify" people in every election.

[MichMan]

35. The voters in his district can elect whomever they want

Since neither of us live in his district, our opinions don't really matter anyway.

[BeyondGeography]

36. It smacks of entitlement

This is my seat, if I can’t have it because I messed up, my name stays on it. We shouldn’t be so eager to support “servants” who see their positions as private playthings.

[yallerdawg]

39. Simple solution.

Don't vote for him.

Personally, I won't disqualify a candidate because of his relations.

[brooklynite]

42. Who has suggested disqualifying him?

[BeyondGeography]

44. Simple answer: nepotism will always suck

[Hortensis]

52. :) Well, voters disagree on that, right? I was repelled

when I was only 10 years old by all the unprincipled "Camelot" "America's ruling family" garbage that colored the news when Kennedy was president (apparently a hard-wired, to-the-bone thing in me), but a lot of people around me ate it up and were eager to elect "Bobby" first and foremost because of it.

So I'm generally speaking with you, but fwiw, I have no particular problem with Conyers endorsing his son--as long as it doesn't elect him. The ball is in his constituents' court to examine all choices responsibly and refuse to make frivolous, nostalgic decisions. Conyers was greatly honored to be allowed to serve in congress for an amazing five decades. He owed his constituents everything right up to the moment of his resignation. They owe him perhaps the courtesy of considering his son, if they choose, and they owe the son nothing but the sensible, serious consideration all candidates deserve.

[BeyondGeography]

54. Why is a 27-year-old with no political experience other than getting fined

for misusing a taxpayer-owned vehicle owed serious consideration? I mean other than his daddy’s last name?

[Hortensis]

56. Because he'd be a candidate? The serious consideration

is above all what we owe to OURSELVES and our society, although it translates into courtesy to the candidates as well.

[Demit]

4. I believe the rule states that being a son or daughter doesn't disqualify you from running.

[Cicada]

6. Dynastic succession rule: sins of the father should not be visited on the son

His son should be considered on his own merits

[MichMan]

21. His son has zero political experience as far as I know

I agree that the sins of the father shouldn't transfer to the son, but I also believe that having the same last name as a political icon should not confer any special status due to name recognition.

Unfortunately, Detroit has elected several officeholders over the years related to well known political families that turned out to be terrible choices.

That would include both Monica Conyers and mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

48. I believe he's in the Michigan State Legislature

Not sure for how ling he's served.

[MichMan]

50. That is his grand nephew in the State legislature

That is his grand nephew Ian. Ian had already indicated he was planning on running .

John Conyers III has no political experience and has not stated if he wants it or not

[BeyondGeography]

51. That is his nephew Ian Conyers

His son is 27 years old and the only political news he has ever made before today is getting fined for misusing a government-owned Escalade:

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/05/john-conyers-relatives-successor/108330920/

[snooper2]

7. you don't get to define your own legacy FYI Conyers

You did a lot of good- And everyone will always know about the bad

[AlleganCarpenter]

10. Who will succeed in the interim?

Last edited Tue Dec 5, 2017, 01:23 PM - Edit history (1)

Snyder will probably appoint a RW hack who will only make it easier for Ryan to pass his nutty agenda.
I believe a quid pro quo is in order. for everyone of ours who resigns/retires, two of theirs should bite the dust.
After all they have the moral responsibility on their side. Snark

I stand corrected. Snyder can call for a special election. Apparently, he is not bound to it which would leave the seat unfilled til the next general.

[brooklynite]

15. House seats are not filled by appointment...they remain vacant until an election is held.

[Renew Deal]

11. Who else knew that there were issues?

And when did they know it?

[Grins]

12. If I understand Michigan law...

Conyer's successor will be appointed by the Governor, in this case, skeevy Republican, Rick Snyder.

However...

The appointee must come from the departed/departing office holder's party!

Gonna' be fun to watch this.

[mopinko]

18. nope.

special election. seat remains vacant until then.

[dbackjon]

19. Not for the House - seat remains vacant until an election

[MichMan]

13. His son has zero political experienceas far as I know

At least it isn't his wife Monica he wants to succeed him

[oberliner]

16. What is the difference between retiring and resigning?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

46. Good question. Maybe pension, health insurance, etc. nt

[former9thward]

49. None, legally.

Retiring just sounds a little better when you are under fire.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

25. Good, but why is no one demanding the same of Farenthold?

Media barely mentions him

[LenaBaby61]

29. "Why is no one demanding the same of Farenthold?"

He's a thuglican. You know how that is with the so-called liberal media that doesn't exist.

[jmowreader]

61. No one believes Farenthold actually has a penis

[ToxMarz]

32. They say the same thing as the rules on term limits

There aren't any, we have elections. The problem isn't a lack of rules to control the electorate, it is ignorance (willful and actual), stupidity, co-option by special interests (including religion), edc. It can't be fixed with rules "disqualifying" certain classes we may be able to find anecdotal evidence of abuses, if we did those rules would just then be turned inside out to work against us.

[bullwinkle428]

34. Rep. John Conyers III, and President Ivanka Trump!

Meat Goblin says, "I gotcher woman President right here!!"

[Stonepounder]

37. Re: Conyers' son:

Does anyone know whether the son has any interest in running for office? Many children find they have absolutely no interest in following in their father's/mother's footsteps.

[yurbud]

40. Conyers was one of a handful in Congress to stand up to the Bushies

that doesn't exonerate any of his harassment, but we need someone with his courage in the House, not a "go along to get along" replacement.

[senaca]

45. Judiciary Committee

When John Conyers stepped down from the Judiciary Committee, who was elected to take his place and has that happened yet? How does this effect the Judiciary Committee and what are the implications going forward?

[BeyondGeography]

57. Jerrold Nadler, major upgrade

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/29/rep-jerrold-nadler-takes-over-top-democrat-house-judiciary/907341001/

[lapucelle]

62. Jerrold Nadler was named acting ranking member. N/T