Mourning Roundup: November 3, 2010

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 TAGS: POLITICS, ELECTIONS ADD A COMMENT

The Political Obituary: Midterms 2010

The rightward lurch of the American electorate has cast off more than a few politicians who thought their days in Washington (or in statehouses) numbered many.

They were wrong.   So today, as media outlets perform post-election post-mortems, the mourning roundup will give a moment in the elegiac sun to those public servants whose political obituaries are being written.

Russ Feingold, Victim of Citizens United?

The anti-war Democrat from Wisconsin faced a fierce rebuke from voters and lost his bid for a fourth Senate term to Ron Johnson, the former head of a plastics company with no experience in public office.

Feingold, more than some victims of the 2010 midterms, held true to his liberal bona fides rather than tacking to the middle.

But, as some observers note, Feingold might be the first true political victim of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that allows unlimited campaign contributions from corporations. Johnson benefited from over $3 million from outside groups.

This is of course the greatest of political ironies because Feingold was co-author of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill, which attempted to reign in the influence of special interests in campaigns.

Is that the kind of coup de grace that force Feingold from the Kleig lights for good? He seems to be keeping the door open.

Feingold’s comments at the end of his concession speech last night raise the possibility of a presidential bid against Obama in two years. “It’s on to our next adventure in 2012 and beyond.” Is this obituary premature?   

Ike Skelton… Done after 17 Terms

The chairman of the House Armed Service Committee served in the congress for 34 years and lost to Vicky Hartzler, Repubican state legislator. As the Washington Post sums it up:

Through four economic recessions, five presidents and 17 elections, Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton prevailed at the ballot box by building a reputation as a military expert and social conservative. Until now.

According to Skelton:

"Representing the people in this district in the state of Missouri has been the political highlight of my life."

It seems unlikely that he’ll return to politics.  

Blue Dogs and Southern Democrats

2010 might be seen as the final act for Southern Democrats and so-called Blue Dog Democrats. Moderate Democrats in typically Republican held districts lost badly yesterday.

The indication is that the Democratic contingent in the House will be more liberal than its previous majority. As one-time Obit contributor Gabriel Kuris suggests, looking at how House Dems who voted AGAINST the Health Care Bill performed last night offers insight into the political death of moderate Democrats.

According to Fox News, the Blue Dog coalition was shaved in half… from 54 legislators to 26.

Democrats who voted against the health care bill included the following Congressmen and Congresswomen:

Lost 20 
Rep. Gene Taylor (Miss.)
Rep. Harry Teague (N.M.)
Rep. Ike Skelton (Mo.)
Rep. Zack Space (Ohio)
Rep. Charlie Melancon (La.) Ran for Senate, lost
Rep. Walt Minnick (Idaho)
Rep. Glenn Nye (Va.)
Rep. Mike McMahon (N.Y.)
Rep. Frank Kratovil (Md.)
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.)
Rep. Lincoln Davis (Tenn.)
Rep. Chet Edwards (Texas) (Served for 20 years)
Rep. John Adler (N.J.)
Rep. Michael Arcuri (N.Y.)
Rep. Marion Berry (Ark.) (a seat Dems have held for 100 years)
Rep. Rick Boucher (Va.) Lost his bid for 15th term
Rep. Bobby Bright (Ala.)
Rep. Travis Childers (Miss.)
Rep. Artur Davis (Ala.) Lost bid for governor
Rep. John Tanner (Tenn.) Ret’d Seat lost to Rep.

Won 13
Rep. Jason Altmire (Pa.)
Rep. John Barrow (Ga.)  Rep. Dan Boren (Okla.)
Rep. Ben Chandler (Ky.)
Rep. Larry Kissell (N.C.)
Rep. Dan Lipinski (Ill.)
Rep. Stephen Lynch (Mass.)
Rep. Jim Marshall (Ga.)
Rep. Jim Matheson (Utah)
Rep. Mike McIntyre (N.C.)
Rep. Collin Peterson (Minn.)
Rep. Mike Ross (Ark.)
Rep. Heath Shuler (N.C.)