‘You don’t have to die in your seat’: Democrats stress over aging members

politico.com ^ | 6/25/21 | MARC CAPUTO

[cotton1706]

Rep. Alcee Hastings was 84 years old and battling pancreatic cancer. He was nearing his third decade in Congress. But he just couldn’t quit his House seat.

So he ran again last November and won his South Florida-based district, only to die in April. His death created a vacancy that made House Democrats’ already slim majority even smaller — and now his seat will remain vacant until January, thanks to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who aimed to keep the solidly Democratic seat unoccupied for as long as possible by scheduling the special election nine months after Hastings’ death.

[cotton1706]

But to them, they DO have to die in their seats.

Both John McCain and Ted Kennedy, cancer-ridden, remained in office until death. They didn't resign.

Robert Byrd was LIVING at the hospital.

Etc.

They know that if they retire and go home, they'll be dead soon, so they stay and continue to hang out with their friends, having nice lunches and dinners.

[1Old Pro]

I think they may get better survivor benefits if they die in office. Oh, and many like McCain believe that’s how you get a Presidential burial.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Democrats don’t believe they have to die at all - to them, this life is All There Is - and the only reason they can’t enjoy its excesses forever is that Republicans are denying science and not letting them inject fetal stem cells directly into their own brains.

[cotton1706]

“I think they may get better survivor benefits if they die in office.”

I never considered that. That’s probably true.

[Flick Lives]

‘You don’t have to die in your seat’: Democrats stress over aging members

—

Why would the Dems be stressed about the average age of their members in Congress being 108? Dems routinely win elections with their dead voting contingent. They’re just playing to their base.

[House Atreides]

Yes they DO have to die in their seats… the sooner, the better. 🤗

[brownsfan]

A byproduct of stupid voters. A dead incumbent could win an election. The voters simply keep electing turds, no matter how much they stink.

[PGR88]

When one’s entire ideology, morality and world-view is about wielding POWER, then of course, just like the old Soviet politburo, or China CCP, one must stay forever.

[AndyJackson]

Yes, when Biden nukes the Maga protesters on Capitol Hill.

[GotMojo]

so selfish......its about them, not who they serve

[SmokingJoe]

and now his seat will remain vacant until January, thanks to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who aimed to keep the solidly Democratic seat unoccupied for as long as possible by scheduling the special election nine months after Hastings’ death.

You just gotta love that DeSantis.
Chuckle.

[LoveMyFreedom]

And 3 cheers for Governor DeSantis for keeping the seat vacant as long as possible. If it was a Democrat Governor and Republican seat, he/she would do the same and there would be no criticism from the press.

[LoveMyFreedom]

so selfish......its about them, not who they serve

---

It sure is. So their body can be laid out in the Rotunda so the people of Washington can pay their respects, etc and the news media can say how great their were if though they never did anything to help the American people back home.

[Mr. Jeeves]

After this last election, I’m not convinced voters elect many candidates at all - especially in urban districts where there is zero accountability. It’s not like the voters in Maxine Waters’ district especially care whether she wins or loses - so Maxine’s handlers just make sure the vote comes out her way, knowing that there will never be any kind of audit.

[metmom]

There are a lot of dem reps who are well past their best by date.

But they just can’t/won’t give up their grip on power.

[glennaro]

Old or young ... sane or insane ... an America/American-hating Democrat/communist/Leftist is an America/American-hating Democrat/communist/Leftist is an America/American-hating Democrat/communist/Leftist. Easy to understand.

[edwinland]

I think you might be right. Not sure if these terms apply to their pension system, but anyway for other federal employees it seems to be the case:

https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/fers-information/survivors

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

What Politico is scared to expand upon is that the Democrats have no bench. They were all wiped out during the Obama years.
Sure, they have young progressive activists, but everyone gets old, and most of them will mature politically. They don’t have the know-how to run for office or an understanding our system og government.

So this article is basically a canary in the coal mine to get older Dems to step down.

[1Old Pro]

So this article is basically a canary in the coal mine to get older Dems to step down.

With so many in their mid to late 80's, nature will eventually change the demographics.

[Gay State Conservative]

Don’t Congresscritters get close to full salary ($170K/yr) in retirement? IIRC their pensions are tax free.