What I call Good News: FL's Diaz-Balart to retire.

[Mike 03]

"Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, announced today that he will not seek another term."

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/florida-republican-congressman-to-retire/

Anyone of you who watched that historic, nearly twelve-hour House Rules Committee meeting prior to the House vote on the Health Care Reform Bill knows that this guy is toxic to HCR. He looks young to be able to retire, but I don't care--this is for the best. I disliked him immensely, and I can't imagine most Dems who saw his performance at that incredible hearing could disagree.

Here is a link, BTW, to part one of that enthralling November 9, 2009 all-niter meeting of the Rules Committee. The first two sessions are absolutely worth watching. The last half of that night, not so much, IMO. One warning: the audio is awful. Half the microphones don't work, including Charlie Rangel's (which is a terrible shame). Some incredibly poignant moments here.

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/11/06/Health/A/25671/House+Rules+Cmte+Meeting+on+Health+Care+Legislation.aspx

I know it is perverse, but I am completely fascinated by these types of hearings, including every hour of the Senate Finance Committee mark-up. This is our government doing what it was supposed to do. Unfortunately, our best efforts are being obstructed at every turn.

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Even better news would be that Diaz-Balart is indicted for influence peddling

but I digress...

Hawkeye-X

[Scurrilous]

2. Good riddance.

:kick:

[rabs]

3. Good news for Florida Dems

Lincoln's brother, Mario Diaz-Balart, already has announced that he will bid for Lincoln's seat. But Mario is not as popular with the Miami Cuban anti-Castro "gusaneria" (maggotry) as was Lincoln.

So that will leave Mario's U.S. House seat up for grabs too, and conceivably, Florida Dems could pick up both seats.

By-the-by, Lincoln and Mario are nephews of Fidel, a fact that is not widely known outside of the Miami area. Both have been instrumental in maintaining the embargo and other sanctions against Cuba.