It’s been rumored for days but CNN makes it official: “Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, will reveal Friday he is retiring from Congress, Democratic sources tell CNN.”
Hardly shocking. Stupak made himself a pariah among Democrats when he almost singlehandedly blocked healthcare reform in the House over abortion. And then he made himself a pariah among Republicans when he flip-flopped after getting a meaningless declaration from President Obama. He’s now a man without friends in a hostile district.
More from AP:
Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan tells The Associated Press he’ll retire from Congress rather than seek a 10th term this year.
Stupak has drawn stinging criticism from opponents of the recently enacted health care overhaul after leading a bloc of anti-abortion Democrats whose last-minute support was crucial to its approval by the House.
The Tea Party Express is calling for his defeat at rallies in his sprawling northern Michigan district this week.
But Stupak tells the AP the attacks didn’t influence his decision and he could win re-election if he tried.
He’s quitting out of kindness, I suppose.
