Obey Retires

Another senior liberal Democrat bit the dust today, as Wisconsin’s David Obey, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he will not run for re-election. Obey has been in the House since he succeeded Melvin Laird in 1969.
Obey’s retirement may offer an opportunity for the Republicans. His district, the 7th, comprises more or less the northwest quadrant of Wisconsin. It leans Democratic, but narrowly, having voted for John Kerry (51%) and Barack Obama (56%). In this season of discontent with the Democratic Party, a solid Republican candidate should have a good chance of winning the seat.