With so much attention on the presidential election, not much attention is being paid to congressional races, particularly in the House, where three Republicans are ready to retire.
Rep. Ray Lahood of Illinois, has announced that he would retire at the end of his term. Today Rep. Deborah Pryce of Ohio, the former House Republican Conference chairwoman, today announced her retirement, having served 16 years in Congress. And former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois is expected to announce his retirement tomorrow.
Mrs. Pryce is the last of the old House Republican leadership to go with Mr. Hastert, following former Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas.
The question is: Can the GOP hold those seats?
Unbeknownst to some, Mrs. Pryce was one of the few Republicans from a district that is 26 percent black and more than 30 percent minority. Many Democratic-leaning voters either gave her the nod or helped her by staying home.
It is hard to see how Republicans can hold her seat, considering that Mrs. Pryce almost lost it to Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy last year.
Republicans have less worry about Mr. Hastert and Mr. Lahood's seats. But if fellow Illinoisan Barack Obama tops the Democratic ticket, there is no telling what effect that could have on voters in the Hastert and Lahood districts.
-- Brian DeBose, national political reporter, The Washington Times
UPDATED: 6:12 p.m. The original version of this blog contained an error. Mrs. Pryce's district is 7 percent black.
-- Brian DeBose
Comments (7)
Great republican plan.. get into office, royally screw our country and retire. way to go guys.. great legacy
Posted by MarkD | August 16, 2007 4:43 PM
Your data on Ohio's 15th Congressional District are in error. It is 7% black and 86% white. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/oh/district-15/
Posted by John | August 16, 2007 4:50 PM
repiglican garbage: bye bye
love,
gerald clough
laramie, WY
www.lostharvest.com
Posted by gerald clough | August 16, 2007 5:09 PM
Thank You for admitting Democrats are a weak, feeble party. That is the true legacy.
The only way Republicans can screw our country by themselves is if nobody is strong enough to stand up to them.
Republicians may be pigs, but they poop Democrats.
Posted by Mike H. | August 16, 2007 8:24 PM
At least Republicans retire. Compare that to Democrats like Teddy Kennedy, Robert Byrd, Pat Leahy, John Conyers, John Dingell, Barney Frank, Henry Waxman and Comrades that just keep screwing the American people year after year because their brain-dead constituents keep re-electing deadwood. There is no comparison.
Posted by Bob M | August 18, 2007 5:12 AM
Hey Bob M: Let's talk about Republicant's recent Actions:
William Frist -R. Tenn: Subpoenaed by the SEC and now faces three counts of criminal indictment for fraud and insider trading.
Jack Abramoff -Republican Lobbyist
Jack has plead guilty to three counts of conspiracy, honest-services mail fraud and tax evasion.
Tom Delay -R Texas -On trial on felony money laundering and conspiracy counts.
Lewis Libby Jr -R (Need I spell it out?)
Randy "Duke" Cunningham -R acknowledged a conspiracy to commit bribery, mail and wire fraud and tax evasion. He also pleaded guilty to a separate tax evasion violation for failing to disclose income in 2004.
Bob Ney R-Ohio guilty of two counts: conspiracy and making false statements. Each charge carries a five-year mandatory penalty, but if Ney goes along with all requirements of the plea, the government has agreed to recommend to the court a sentence of 27 months.
Mark Foley -R. South Florida
Was busted with Internet sex talk with a teenager that was working as a US Page, the boy was 16 years old. Mark is not currently in jail but has resigned from office in shame 10/2006
To the GOP Who did NOTHING for the last 5 Years:
WHERE'S OSAMA?
WHERE'S OUR SECURE BORDERS?
WHERE'S OUR SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM?
WHERE'S OUR HEALTHCARE REFORM?
Posted by DECTRA | August 20, 2007 8:04 AM
I don't care what party these people are supposedly from, they are not there to help the American Middle Class (me) but to assist the lobby that put them there... period!
I thought I saw a presidential canidate I could back. However, I heard an interview with Fred Thompson on our local radio station and he actually said he had not heard of the North American Union talk... either he is not in tune with what's being dicussed out here (SCARY) or he, as a member of the CFR, is part of this possible senario. I fear for my kids future and for the future of the United States of America.
By the way DECTRA, your boy Slick Willy sure didn't get you what you wanted either! I thought Hillary's comments of fighting the Right for 35 years was laughable, 35 years and trillions of dollars and not one thing was done! Maybe you could list the Democrat criminal acts too. I am sure you are in favor of the "Fairness Doctrine" aren't you?
I think all of you Left and Right wingnuts better read up on the Constitution while you still can! I am sick of the Republicrats... I am an American first and forever!
Posted by Erik Allerup | August 20, 2007 10:31 PM