Rep. Bart Stupak plans to announce his retirement today, top Democrats briefed on his decision say.

[jefferson_dem]

Breaking: Stupak Will Retire
Apr 9 2010, 8:07 AM ET

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) plans to annnounce his retirement today, Democrats briefed on his decision said. Stupak, the leader of a pro-life faction within his party, had received death threats and was under intense political pressure after he agreed to support the Democratic health care reform legislation, even though pro-life groups insisted that it would allow federal funds to be used for abortion.

Stupak negotiated a compromise with the White House, which resulted in President Obama's issuing of an executive order clarifying the executive branch's view of the subject. For that, Stupak was called a traitor to the pro-life cause. Stupak has represented Michigan's first congressional district for 18 years. He will make public his decision at a press conference later today.

Stupak hinted at this course in a letter to constituents on Wednesday. His district, representing parts of the state's upper peninsula, is marginal: President Obama received 50% of the vote there.

Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall will probably take Stupak's place as the Democratic nominee.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/04/breaking-stupak-will-retire/38690

This is not *great* news for the Dems. Sure, he is not our kind of Dem and he acted like an asshat (mostly) during the healthcare debate...but MI-1 will be tough to hold. It's "all in" with http://conniesaltonstall.com/.

[babylonsister]

1. Sigh. Bad news. Seems a big turnaround from what I read yesterday. nt

[CTyankee]

4. Not if we can get a progressive in there.

The Stupak Amendment was an unforgiveable monkey wrench in the health care reform fight...

[babylonsister]

5. That's a BIG 'if'. nt

[jefferson_dem]

6. Obama won MI-1 in 2008 by only 50/48.

Even under the best case scenarios, the Dems are facing a headwind this Fall. Stupak was dependable on progressive issues, other than abortion (I know...I know). Healthcare reform passed in spite of his bullshit. This is not good news.

[catgirl]

10. He also voted against an assault weapons ban n/t

[Teaser]

12. you won't get a progressive in there

.

[Phx_Dem]

16. Keep dreaming. n/t

[grantcart]

20. I don't think that the Republicans are going to run a progressive.

[CTyankee]

21. I guess it's not possible. so let's not bother trying...nt

[grantcart]

22. I spend hundreds of hours ever two years trying to get our Republican Congressman out

Once we get a Democrat in I don't really care if she is 100% pure.

Those that apply the same ideological standards to candidates from safe districts to candidates in Republican districts are making a huge strategic blunder, IMHO.

Fortunately the Teabaggers are making the same blunder to the 10th power on the other side.

[CTyankee]

24. There's 100% pure and there's putting in a putative Democrat who tries

to severely limit a woman's right to choose by effectively closing off access to abortion through health insurance reform. That is a HUGE deal. No, I don't expect every Dem to vote our way on every piece of legislation but this was a massive attempt, cooked up with the Catholic bishops, to strike a blow against women's reproductive rights. It outrages me every time I even think about it and it should outrage any Democrat worth their salt...

[Clio the Leo]

2. More...

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/04/breaking-stupak-will-retire/38690

[jefferson_dem]

3. Thanks Clio.

I pasted that stuff into the OP. :hi:

[Homer03]

7. Dontcha Know...

Da big problem dar is dat nobody in his right mind would leave da U P to go work in DC!

[lunatica]

8. Running from the teabaggers is the worst thing he could do

But it shows he's too thin skinned to hang in there. I could almost feel sorry for him, but I don't. Sooner or later life slaps us all down. The trick is to get back up, not to cave.

[jefferson_dem]

9. True.

The teabaggers already had one of their mob-rallies planned for today. They will be parading Stupak's head around ... on a stick (figuratively, of course). This sucks. The only counter-messaging will rest in the content/tone of his statement today.

[Jennicut]

11. He definitely is not a fighter, only when it came time to fight his own party.

He is a bit cowardly.

[Kaleva]

18. Repubs believed they didn't have a prayer in beating Stupak

At least that was reported on CNN by a correspondent who said he talked to several Repub strategists. Also, the Cook Political Report still had MI-01 listed as a safe Dem seat with Stupak on the ballot.

[Kdillard]

Not good news.

[Kdillard]

13. Not good news.

[Kaleva]

14. Hopefully, state senator Mike Prusi will declare

[Phx_Dem]

15. This is a bummer. He's no favorite of mine, but he's a Dem.

And not we're likely to lose that seat.

:-(

[LiberalFighter]

17. Stupak screwed up making abortion an issue and demanding Obama sign an EO.

He should had agreed that the Hyde Amendment was in effect with the HCR bill.

[Kber]

19. Common wisdom seems to be that Bart Stupak was the only electable Dem in his district

However, the state house reps offer a glimmer of hope:

The State House districts covered in Bart's National Congressional District are:

110 - Mike Lahti - D
109 - Steve Lindsey - D
108 - Judy Nerat - D
107 - Gary McDowell - D
106 - Andy Newman - D
105 - Kevin Elsenhelmer (sp?) - R
104 - Wayne Schmidt - D
and 103 - Joe Sheltown - D

Connie Saltonstall, the only declared Dem in the race so far, is from the 105th, by the way and has a base there.

So before we rend our clothes and put on black cloth, maybe it's too early to give up on the MI 01 Congressional district just yet?

[Born_A_Truman]

23. The teabaggers will take credit for this ...