First term Democratic Sen. Jim Webb (VA) will not seek re-election, he announced in a statement today.
"After much thought and consideration I have decided to return to the private sector, where I have spent most of my professional life, and will not seek re-election in 2012. Notwithstanding this decision, I have every intention of remaining involved in the issues that affect the well-being and the future of our country."
Webb, the former Navy Secretary in the Reagan Administration, was the sole Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee to vote on May 27 2010 against adding the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Seven months later, Webb's position changed. On December 18 2010, Webb voted for cloture and final repeal on the historic 2010 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal Act.
The Washington Post adds:
Webb's decision, long anticipated by many in Virginia politics, will make his seat more difficult to hold for his party. Ex-Sen. George Allen (R), who lost the seat in 2006 to Webb, is running to win it back, and a handful of other GOP candidates are also running. Some Democrats hope ex-Gov. Tim Kaine will decide to run for the seat, but he has given no indication yet that he is interested.
It looks like it will be more difficult for the Democrats to retain their Senate majority. Of the 33 Senate seats up for re-election in 2012, 23 are held by Democrats.
ugh...
Posted by: dfs | 09 February 2011 at 15:31
Well, Moderate to Conservative Democrats are still a significant force in the party in certain parts of the country and in certain parts of certain states. It shouldn't have surprised so many when the Presdient had to compromise on certain promises because "Blue Dawg" members of his own party wouldn't go along with what they viewed as "radical change".
It was only 30 years ago when the Democratic Party was full of former KKK members in the South, and anti-black Conservatives in the North. People forget and have expectations that are un-realistic. Did SlimJim know better (about the Blue Dawgs)before he won the presidency making those promises of "Great Change" during the '08 Campaign? Yeah, probably so.
I don't know what kind of promises he's going to make next year, but I'll be voting for him. I don't take presidential campaign promises serviously. I vote party so hopefully the party will select federal judges.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 09 February 2011 at 16:07
I wish Kaine would run he has been a failure as DNC head..who did the DNC and Obama pick as winners for Senator and Governor that really won? Dean was too progressive for Obama and we all lost because of that
Posted by: robert | 10 February 2011 at 10:54
I bet he is going to K Street to become a lobbyist.
Posted by: chris w | 10 February 2011 at 11:06
If not a lobbyist, then the principal of a Washington consulting firm to be named "Webb & Associates" where he will capitalize and cash in on the connections he's made in Congress. ...the ole revolving door.
Posted by: chris w. | 10 February 2011 at 11:59
chris w. you are probably right about Webb... he wants to make money now
Posted by: robert | 10 February 2011 at 18:55