In which we cue Queen, AGAIN

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NYT:

Representative David Obey of Wisconsin, chairman of the Appropriations Committee and one of the most powerful and longest-serving Democrats in Congress, announced today that he will not seek re-election and will step down after 41 years.

"There is a time to stay and a time to go. And this is my time to go," Mr. Obey told reporters and colleagues cramming into the hearing room of the House Appropriations Committee, the panel he has led since January 2007. "I hate to do it. There is so much that needs to be done, but, frankly, I'm bone tired."

Give the guy some credit, at least he didn't say he wanted to spend more time with this family.

Mr. Obey was bracing for what could have been one of his most competitive re-election contests since first being elected to Congress in 1969. House Democratic leaders had expected him to run, three party officials said, but Mr. Obey said that he wanted the health care legislation to be the capstone of his career.

Mr. Obey, 71, had won 21 straight races, easily prevailing through wars, economic crises and other turmoil from the Nixon to the Obama administrations. But in this volatile midterm election year for Democrats, Republicans have targeted Mr. Obey and other well-established Democrats.

In his appearance today, Mr. Obey brusquely cast aside the notion that the upcoming campaign factored into his decision. And he sharply played down the prospect that Democrats would fall to defeat in his "progressive Congressional district."

That better not be snickering I hear. Don't make me come back there.

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