She might not have spearheaded many life-changing bills or led many committee crusades, but it will be difficult for any Beltway observer of my generation to see a Congress without Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME). As of this November, she will have served 18 years, and there is no sign that she would have faced a serious challenger from either party, despite rumors of more conservative Republicans who wanted to try. Nonetheless, she’s retiring.
Here’s her quote:
What I have had to consider is how productive an additional term would be. I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term. At this stage of my tenure in public service, I have concluded that I am not prepared to commit myself to an additional six years in the Senate.
And here’s The Onion‘s quote: “Senator Snowe Will Not Seek Reelection, Extinction Of Moderate Republicans Imminent.” There’s about 90 percent less irony in that headline than their usual turnout. Snowe, along with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), was one of a fantastic double act: two Maine ladies who ran as Republicans and voted with their colleagues on a regular basis, but felt no trepidation in going the other way when they saw fit. There must be something in the water in Maine that inclines voters toward political behavior that is becoming increasingly rare and subject to scorn.
Snowe is 65, younger by Washington standards than by normal ones, and in excellent health. We have heard no scandal about her when it comes to her personal life. All we are left with is her explanation: that the Senate is too partisan and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Of course, the Senate is a garden party compared to the House, but this is not the first time it’s driven moderate senators away. Remember when former Sen. Evan Bayh (R-IN) did it?
I could do the usual centrist blogger thing and castigate Congress for their entrenchment and animosity. But, let’s face it, any one of you could write that for me. In reality, my disappointment lies with Snowe. Maybe partisanship was wearing her out, but moderates can’t hope to change that if they retire before the wingers do. If I were her, or any other moderate lawmaker or candidate who ever gave way to a bunch of partisan idiots, I’d fight to the death. Even if you don’t win the first three times, you can make people pay attention.
The stakes are clearly too high when someone like former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) even has a chance to win a presidential primary. Moderates can’t quit. We need to stifle the wingers back.
