Robert Wexler is resigning tomorrow! D from Fla!

[napi21]

Crist will have to appoint his replacemenet. To be announced tomorrow. Just hear this on the Mike Malloy show!

He's going to head up an org. called The Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation.

I'm really sad to see him go. I liked him.

[bkkyosemite]

1. Couldn't have waited until heathcare bill was passed :-(

[napi21]

5. I don't know if it's immediate or not. Mike didn't say. Just said

he was announcing his resignation. It might be that he'll wait for his replacement to be named. I think we have enough of a majority in the House that it won't matter.

[usregimechange]

2. The Gov replaces US Congress members in FL?

[napi21]

3. I don't know. That's what Mike said. n/t

[usregimechange]

6. Nope, state law requires him to call a special election

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. Who is this Mike who knows so little of civics?

Article I, Section 2, Clause 4:

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A1Sec4

[mcctatas]

4. um, you are half right

"Wexler's resignation would spur a special election to fill his vacant seat. The district is solidly Democratic, and gave President Obama 65 percent of the vote in last year’s presidential election. Since winning the seat in 1996, he’s never faced serious opposition."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1009/Wexler_resigning_from_Congress.html

[napi21]

7. GOOD! Glad to hear that. n/t

[usregimechange]

8. This is a safe D seat

[Renew Deal]

16. Gotta love the gerrymandering

:banghead:

[jgraz]

9. This is clearly a result of his penchant for cocaine and prostitutes

I hear they're a fun thing to do.

http://www.videosift.com/video/Colbert-Robert-Wexler-talks-about-cocaine-and-prostitutes

[DesertFlower]

10. sorry to hear that. i like wexler.

[Vickers]

11. Damn...he's my Rep.

:(

[WatchWhatISay]

12. and he's my adopted rep

or one of them. In my part of Texas there is not a single Democrat that represents me in any capacity - local, statewide or nationally, so I have to adopt some from elsewhere.

[clear eye]

13. Maybe he's picking up a litttle cash to oppose Crist in the 2010 Senate race?

Wexler is limited in his time for fundraising while he's in the House, and could definitely take on more speaking engagements, etc. as head of a Mid-East conflict resolution NGO. As mentioned above, he's rumored to be accepting the position w/ a group founded by the CEO of SlimFast. It will probably pay better than Congress as well.

His research may have indicated that he would have a good shot w/ more money for the primary, and the nat'l party is either not taking sides among the contenders or aren't backing him. Odd that Obama, who owes him so much for FL, hasn't done more to get the DNC behind him. At any rate, he seems to be making a last minute dash to position himself better.

He's been a good House rep.. I hope he makes it.

[clear eye]

15. I called his office, and they say that he's leaving politics for good.

Maybe it was the lack of support from the party for a Senate bid, or disappointment that he did not get an Administration appointment after his efforts for Obama, leading him to feel he was at a dead end?

There was lots of speculation on another Dem blog, that he was the logical appointment for ambassador to Israel since the current ambassador is a holdover from Bush. Maybe he thought so, too?

[clear eye]

17. When I suggested Wexler for U.S. Senate to a State Dem party op, she actually snickered.

Seems Wexler burned his political capital in Florida when he backed Obama after Clinton won the primary and before the disposition of the primary electoral votes was settled. I know people like the woman with whom I spoke. They hate whomever their bosses hate. Laughing at any possibility of a run for Senate is the FL party leadership's form of payback. And he got zilch from Obama for his sacrifice.

No wonder he's getting out of the game.

[RockaFowler]

18. My station has Mark Foley on the air now

I am disgusted beyond belief that we are giving this man any say whatsoever when it comes to politics.