Posted on 02/17/2010 1:12:51 PM PST by outpostinmass2
Bill Delahunt, come on down!
The only question is, does he permanently adjourn to Hedonism II now, or in 2012?
It’s like a logging forest out there for congressional Democrats these days. Timber! First Chris Dodd falls, then Patches Kennedy, not to mention a whole host of lesser-known Beltway banditos. They’re all retiring due to ill health - the voters are sick of them. The question now is the same one they ask at the deli counter. Who’s next?
Consider why Delahunt might want to call it a career. First, he’s already got a state pension - $58,343.76 a year. He’s also vested for a congressional kiss in the mail, probably at least another $90,000. He turns 69 in July, so he’s still young enough to cash in on his career in, ahem, public service, as well as finding time to fact-find at those clothing-optional Jamaican beaches he so enjoys.
On the other hand . . . first of all, there’s a congressional redistricting coming up. Massachusetts may be losing a seat. Redistricting is all about carving, and it would be immensely easier if there’s a solon who is retiring and whose district no one would miss.
And if Delahunt runs, and loses, which certainly seems possible, then who better to gerrymander out of Congress in two years than the cheeky Republican who knocks him off?
Next, the Kennedy factor. If Delahunt doesn’t run, most likely the young Kennedy kid, Carrot Top, also known as Joe Roman Numeral, steps up. You can’t redistrict a Kennedy out of Congress, even now, not in Massachusetts.
But is this a good year for a Kennedy to be running anywhere? Ask Patches. To use a nautical metaphor, 2010 is looking like low tide for Democrats. Better to let the tide come back in, as it always does. If you run now and lose, Carrot Top, Camelot really is dead, forever. Better to wait your turn, kid - you know, like Uncle Teddy never did.
Moving along, the oldest congressman in the state is John Olver of Amherst, age 73. Olver is one of the few human beings at risk of contracting Dutch elm disease. His western Mass. district would be as easy to chop up after the 2010 Census as Delahunt’s, so he probably hangs on for one more term.
Next in age is Barney Frank, who will turn 70 next month. Have you seen all these grumpy TV interviews he’s been giving lately? It’s just not as much fun anymore never knowing when someone is going to play your sound bite from 2008 about how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in great shape going forward. . . .
Then there’s Easy Ed Markey. His district makes no sense, and at the age of 63, neither does he. But it would be cruel to deinstitutionalize him after 34 years in the halfway House of Representatives.
Having said all that, I still think Delahunt quits. I heard it’s going to be 81 at Hedonism II today.
Sweet! Mrs. L and I will be there all next week. Sure hope we don't run into Delahunt, though.
Delahunt is in Israel.
Lucky us.
I think he is wrong about the Kennedy’s. While the name still has some cache, the grand kids are not the “Camelot” Kennedys. They are more the Cocaine and Champagne Kennedys. And no one has much regard for them.
SEn. Delahunt! Come on Down!!
Doesn’t he figure in the Amy Bishop case? The one where she murdered her brother?
Why did Howie have to take THIS week off? It would have been fun.
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