Dropping like flies! Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss) resigning

[babylonsister]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/08/16/320451.aspx

From NBC's Mark Murray
Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss., is announcing he's resigning from Congress to work on K Street, becoming the latest House Republican to either vacate his seat or decide not to seek re-election in 2008.

This news -- first reported by the Cook Political Report and shared with First Read -- comes after word that former Speaker Dennis Hastert and Rep. Deborah Pryce will not seek another term in office.

Pickering was seen as the heir apparent to the next GOP Senate opening in Mississippi. Does this mean that Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., has hinted to Pickering that he'll be seeking re-election?

[rodeodance]

1. now we NEED some Repug SENATORS to LEAVE

[KingFlorez]

2. I didn't know Deborah Pryce was leaving too

Her seat could be an easy pickup next year

[valerief]

3. Was it a live boy or a dead girl that did him in? nt

[babylonsister]

4. Possibly pure, unadulterated greed? nt

[BOSSHOG]

14. It would not have mattered to his constituents because

HE HAS AN (R) AFTER HIS TITLE. Them Missippi boys and girls like their fucking and sucking lest is be by an evil liberal.

[Sparkly]

5. I always wonder if they got Flynted. nt

[Richard Steele]

6. Has Larry Flynt been making some phone calls to GOPers?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[AndyA]

7. Somebody must have set off a bug fogger in Washington, D.C.

The cockroaches are scurrying to protect themselves.

Really, though, no honest, moral, ethical person would want to be branded as a Republican these days. Not after everything that party has done to disrupt and destroy America and the Middle East, among other things.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Mike Moore would've kicked Pickering's ass anyway, I hope Chochran isn't persuaded to run again now

[Greeby]

10. Hey, with a name like that, how can he lose?

;)

[Hippo_Tron]

16. People in Mississippi know that it's a different Mike Moore

He's famous for taking on the Tobacco industry and very popular in Mississippi despite the fact that it's so Republican.

[bluestateguy]

9. Another snotty Ole Miss frat boy

Is there some kind of written law that requires you to be an Ole Miss frat boy to get elected to anything in that state?

20 bucks says he'll be replaced by another Ole Miss frat boy.

[Greeby]

11. The link has an update

Saying that they're not clear whether he's resigning outright or just leaving once his term is up

[babylonsister]

17. Sounds like he's actually retiring after his term is up:

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/aug/16/report_chip_pickering_to_retire

[Harry Monroe]

12. Or maybe he's next on Larry Flynt's "hit list"??

This may be fun!!:popcorn: :popcorn:

[Harry Monroe]

13. He's "my" (not really representing me, though) rep here in the 3rd District of Mississippi

So glad to hear it!!

[HeraldSquare212]

15. I'm sure someone's done this....

but is there a way to look at the strength of Dem Pres candidates in close or toss-up House/Senate races? I'm guessing that's tracked or at some point will be tracked. I guess this is a Daily Kos-type thing but also that it probably happens a lot later in the season. Sorry for my ignorance! I want the WH plus 60+ Senators plus Dems in formerly Rep House districts. And some cotton candy. : )

[williesgirl]

18. I'm waiting for Sen Warner to announce retirement, make way for Mark Warner.

[babylonsister]

19. I bet he does; rumors running rampant that he will, and he's getting

up there.

[merh]

20. He is going to fulfill his term, according to his statement

and will not seek re-election.

http://www.clarionledger.com/assets/pdf/D082748816.PDF

Some interesting links:

http://www.newsmeat.com/washington_political_donations/Jack_Abramoff.php

http://www.politicalypso.com/archives/56-Chip-Pickering-Casts-His-Lot-with-McCain.html

http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_259003457.html