jiacinto
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:00 PM
Original message |
Graham to announce retirement |
|
Edited on Mon Nov-03-03 12:02 PM by jiacinto
This is just horrible. Very horrible. How could he do that?
He could have won comfortably. According to the local news here he is about to announce his retirement.
This is a sad day.
|
nothingshocksmeanymore
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:02 PM
Response to Original message |
1. Perhaps he is burned out |
|
The man has only given the majority of his adult life to public service only to watch the gains die out in a few short years.
|
jiacinto
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:04 PM
Response to Reply #1 |
2. It's a selfish decision |
|
That's how I feel right now.
|
NewYorkerfromMass
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:09 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
3. When you are his age you may feel differently |
|
his health may be an issue, anyway, as long as he helps elect a Dem in his place, fine.
|
charlie
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:11 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
|
He's earned it, he owes nobody.
Write him. Start a petition. It's possible he can be convinced to run.
|
jiacinto
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:13 PM
Response to Reply #4 |
|
That's how I feel right now. He knew what was at stake and who will take over his seat now. He could have at least held on one more term.
Maybe that's being uncharitable, but I feel angry.
|
charlie
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:14 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
|
Write the man. Get everyone you know to write and call. He may just be feeling worn out and unappreciated from his presidential campaign.
|
Heddi
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 01:01 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
|
because he's doing something YOU disagree with?
Sounds like he's not the selfish one......
Could it be that he has health problems that he doesn't wish to disclose to the public?
Maybe there's something going on in his family that needs his utter, 100% attention.
Maybe he's just tired of the political game and doesn't want to play anymore.
Until you live the man's life, and until YOU have to make the decisions he does, you have NO RIGHT to call this man's actions "SELFISH".
"He could have at least held on one more term"---BULLSHIT---HE HAS THE RIGHT TO RUN OR NOT RUN---YOU are the one being selfish by blasting this man for making a personal decision.
Didn't you just yell at a friend for "making" you miss the last half of a football game---a decision that YOU choose to make (re: picking said friend up to take to the mall)? Isn't that a bit selfish (Blaming others for your decisions? Only looking after yourself and what you missed?)
Seriously---calm down---he's served this long, has run for President---I'm sure he didn't just wake up this AM and say "gee. I don't want to run again"---I'm sure he has his reasons, which he's under NO obligation to get your permission or approval for....
|
jiacinto
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:08 PM
Response to Reply #27 |
nothingshocksmeanymore
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:17 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
12. YOu have no idea if it is a selfish decision and there are some popular |
|
Florida Dems after his seat that he has vowed to help.
He owes nothing and there are SO many senators running for President, why blame Graham?
|
jiacinto
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:57 PM
Response to Reply #12 |
|
It's just my anger right now.
|
Forkboy
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
|
Edited on Mon Nov-03-03 12:38 PM by Forkboy
Like bitching at a so-called friend because you missed part of a football game?
You're something else.
|
CMT
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:13 PM
Response to Original message |
5. two terms as governor and three terms in the senate |
|
I don't blame him if he doesn't run again. But I don't think he would rule out a Vice-presidential run and I think he would be excellent.
|
jiacinto
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:13 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
|
Yeah but still he retired. He has hurt our efforts to break even in US Senate races.
|
Doomsayer13
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:13 PM
Response to Original message |
7. this is indeed very sad |
|
it will be a fight to keep this seat.
|
DemocratSinceBirth
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:16 PM
Response to Original message |
10. As A Floridian It's Going To Be Hard To Hold His Seat |
|
Off the top of my head I say Alex Penellas gives us the best shot to hold it...
He's young, good looking, charismatic and Latin....
|
RandomUser
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:17 PM
Response to Original message |
|
I like Graham. Sigh. He's a good guy.
|
DemocratSinceBirth
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:19 PM
Response to Reply #11 |
|
but he's sixty seven years old....
Sorry, Carlos, I know you hate the word but the REPUKES must be licking their chops...
|
soup
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:18 PM
Original message |
|
He has served Florida for so long. I was hoping he would chose to stay in the Senate.
notes:
He's coming to the podium at a high school now. Shaking hands. Wearing jeans and shirt for 'workday' doing roofing at the school.
His wife speaking now - introducing him-
thank you my dear for that wonderful introduction married 44 years. Thank you. I love you.
this is very important day for me, thanking friends and students and Lincoln high school, principal-
391st work day may say something about my ability to hold a job. 1977 announced intention to run for gov during a workday.
I will not be a candidate for election for 4th term to senate.
This is not the end.
Led a full, joyful and i hope, productive, life
will accelerate pursuit of goals. jobs, education, U.S. security, FL environment.
Hope to write, record truths I have learned. Create institution for future.
Continue romance of 44 years with my wonderful wife. The person I most like to be with. AW, sniff...
4 daughters, 10 soon to be 11 grandchildren.
Very strong field of democratic candidates for Senate (?)
Talking about his governorship.
Damn, this is sad. I really hate to see him go.
|
Blue-Jay
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:18 PM
Response to Original message |
13. Vice president Graham.... |
|
That has a nice ring to it. I can't imagine a better choice, provided a New Englander wins the nomination.
|
in_cog_ni_to
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:21 PM
Response to Original message |
|
:cry: You can email him, if you wish but, I emailed him last week BEGGING him to run. Guess it didn't do any good. :(
I wish him the best. I just hope we can keep his seat in the Senate.
|
soup
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #15 |
|
Sent my hopes he would decide to continue to be my Senator.
feeling a bit of rudderlessness right now
|
goobergunch
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:37 PM
Response to Reply #15 |
|
compared to 90-10 if Graham had run. :mad:
|
tom_paine
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:21 PM
Response to Original message |
16. I agree, carlos, this is awful news |
|
Imperial Amerika has cemented it's iron grip on the Formerly Free Imperial Subjects of Amerika.
|
Clark Can WIN
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:23 PM
Response to Original message |
|
Maybe he's tired of wading through the cess pool day after day.
|
nothingshocksmeanymore
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:31 PM
Response to Original message |
18. The REAL shame is that out of ALL the Dems he was probably the |
|
MOST qualified to be president and his campaign barely got ANY traction.
|
DemocratSinceBirth
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #18 |
19. I Think That Played In His The Recent Decision |
|
Edited on Mon Nov-03-03 12:35 PM by DemocratSinceBirth
It must have been humiliating for a man who won two gubernatorial elections and three senatorial elections in the fourth largest state in the Union to be summarily rejected by Democratic voters....
|
nothingshocksmeanymore
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:37 PM
Response to Reply #19 |
21. I doubt it. I think he sees the writing on the wall and knows |
|
his time will be spent more valuably doing other things that will strengthen the party. It is a SAD day in politics when the MOST qualified are set aside for the LEAST qualified better connected. McCain saw the same thing in South Carolina.
|
ScreamingMeemie
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:39 PM
Response to Original message |
22. Sorry to hear that....and good luck Florida. |
caledesi
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:40 PM
Response to Original message |
24. A sad day indeed! Bob Graham is a treasure. nt |
OneBlueSky
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 12:55 PM
Response to Original message |
25. maybe he could use his new found free time . . . |
|
raising holy hell about that list of 16,000 disqualified voters that Florida used in 2000, and 2002, and will use again in 2004 . . . seems to me that 4 years is plenty of time to fix it, but I guess they claim they can't get it done until 2006 . . .
|
spindoctor
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 01:35 PM
Response to Original message |
|
It's always sad to see one of the good ones go.
|
eissa
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 01:37 PM
Response to Original message |
|
I've heard his name mentioned here and there as a possible VP candidate for the democratic ticket. Does anyone think that played a role in his decision?
|
livinontheedge
(232 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 01:46 PM
Response to Original message |
30. My guess, he's tired of being in the minority party. |
|
Edited on Mon Nov-03-03 01:48 PM by livinontheedge
It can't be fun having to fight the republican assholes everyday. With republicans in control, democrats can't chair any committees, can't pass their legislation, etc. About all they can do is stop the republicans from doing even more damage. Although that is important, it cannot be that rewarding for someone as sharp has Graham.
My guess is the republicans will pick up (net of losses in Illinois and Alaska) at least 2 if not 3 seats in '04. They will have at least at 53 to 46 advantage over democrats. That is what I think Graham foresaw and just couldn't take anymore.
|
KG
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 02:06 PM
Response to Original message |
31. he's 67 and just had major heart surgery |
|
he may not feel so good when he gets up in the morning anymore. :(
but, i say, dam him for not calling up carlos and clearing it with him first!!! :eyes:
|
GBD4
(597 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:05 PM
Response to Original message |
32. While I am very disappointed... |
|
...we need to be way more optimistic. If there is only one Democrat who can win a statewide race in FL in 04 (Graham) then what condition is the Party in right now? Are there no decent Florida Dems in the younger generation? We have two United States Congressmen (Deutsch and Hastings), the highest elected official of the largest of the 67 Florida counties (Penelas), and a former education commissioner who's already been elected statewide twice (Castor). While I really only like Castor, I think these four can all be competitive - and win! Who do the Republicans have? Ultraconservative House Speaker Byrd, ex-Rep McCollum whom Bill Nelson defeated for Senate in 2000, and some other folks. WE are the ones with current US Reps and a statewide official in the running, NOT THEM. Additionally, Deutsch is the #2 biggest war chest of all 435 House members (don't ask for a link, I read it a while ago, trust me :) ). Further, Deutsch and Hastings are in safe Dem seats, and those seats will remain Dem if either one wins the Senate nomination. Of all the people on this board, I might be the most pro-Graham! But even I have some optimism on this sad day!
|
mndemocrat_29
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:13 PM
Response to Reply #32 |
34. While I disagree about Hastings |
|
I think that both Castor and Deutsch (along with Penelas, who I have issues with) can beat anyone the Repukes come up with. McCollum looks likely to win the nomination, and will probably come out of a bruised primary after being preordained. Bill Nelson beat McCollum, and Deutsch, Castor, and Penelas all can too. Possibly Graham saw that his seat would go to a Democrat and ducked out when he figured he could. He'll campaign heartily for the Democratic presidential candidate, as will the Senate candidate.
However, I do wish that Graham would've run. He's a great senator and will be missed.
|
goobergunch
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:39 PM
Response to Reply #32 |
38. Don't forget the money factor |
|
The national party now has to spend money on this race that might have been spent elsewhere.
|
Bake
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:18 PM
Response to Original message |
35. As for the speculation about Graham's health |
|
Obviously, I have no knowledge of the Senator's health, but he DID just run a campaign for President, albeit short-lived. That would seem to indicate that his health must be OK.
I too fear the prospect of losing Graham's seat. But more than that I regret the loss of Sen. Graham from public service. He's one of the good guys.
Bake
|
Starpass
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:35 PM
Response to Original message |
36. As Judy Woodruff said today |
|
Wish I had the exact words but was wanting to throw something at the TV. She showed all the Dem Senators who have thrown in the towel and said they will not run for re-election and observed and snickered about him and basically accused him of just seeing the hopelessness of it. She is positively crowing about how literally wiped the Dems are going to be in '04. She even assaulted him with Zell Miller's praise for Bush and condemnation of the Dems. Apparently the South now will be dedicated to hunting down and killing any filthy Dem who dares to run down there. Good-----let the rednecks rot; they deserve it.
|
Yupster
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 04:49 PM
Response to Original message |
39. For prez, Dem. nominee doesn't have to win the south, but |
|
if he throws in the towel and doesn't try to be competitive there, we can end up with Republican freshman senators in N Carolina, S Carolina, Georgia and Florida. There's only so much tide you can ask a candidate to fight against.
|
GBD4
(597 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 05:28 PM
Response to Reply #39 |
|
don't forget all of the rumors flying around regarding John Breaux's retirement, too :(
|
LuCifer
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Nov-03-03 06:09 PM
Response to Original message |
41. THIS SUCK SERIOUS ASS |
|
Great. Just what I always wanted out of life. "Senator Mark Fucking Foley."
|
DU
AdBot (1000+ posts) |
Sat Apr 20th 2024, 07:01 AM
Response to Original message |