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Report: GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad To Retire
And another one drops...
Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad will announce his retirement at a 4pm ET press conference, according to a GOP source cited by Minnesota Public Radio. Ramstad represents Minnesota's competitive 3rd District, where George Bush only edged John Kerry by three points in 2004.
That more and more House GOPers are announcing retirement -- others include Rick Renzi, Duncan Hunter, Ray LaHood, Dennis Hastert, Chip Pickering, and Deborah Pryce -- means that the national GOP, which is already struggling to raise cash for next year's House races, will have to sink ever more resources into defending once-safe seats. And the number of planned retirements can only go up.
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The new Republican theme song:
Queens "Another One Bites the Dust"
September 17, 2007 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Though Kerry may have almost carried the district, I think it may be a stretch to call it "competetive." I grew up there, and my memory goes back to Clark Magregor in the late 60's, followed by Bill Frenzel, followed by the Rammer.
That over forty years of R's! The Dems will need to field someone strong- and get lucky. This should be at least be interesting, though...
September 17, 2007 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dammit Ron Charest, I just clicked in to say the exact (well exact song) same thing! :)
September 17, 2007 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
And another one down...another one down.
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!
:)
September 17, 2007 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I interned for Bill Frenzel back in college. I also campaigned a bit for Ramstad back when he got going. Compared to many of the Repubs we complain about here, these two did a good job representing the third district.
September 17, 2007 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
This may be a Republican district traditionally, but it is not a hard right district by any stretch of the imagination. A decent Democratic candidate could do well in 2008, given that the GOP is sinking under the weight of its albatross, George W. Bush. The Republicans have much to fear.
September 17, 2007 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
One more opening for Democrats. Check out these house ratings!
September 17, 2007 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ramstad is a nice guy. He was good friends w/Wellstone. Bet he couldn't stomach his party anymore. The Dems could definitely take this seat. Edina (a very wealthy suburb in Ramstad's district) went for Kerry. This will be verrrrry interesting.
September 17, 2007 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ramstad cultivated the moderate Republican role and did shit. He might have spoken out (how about once) against the Bush excesses, the Rove dishonesty, the Cheney thuggery, the Iraq war, the handling of Katrina, the use of torture, the illegal wiretaps, the partisan use of the Justice Department....nada, nothing, zilch,zero. Another hero leaves the battlefield.
September 17, 2007 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
We still have time for six or eight more Republican indictments in the House and Senate before election time...
September 17, 2007 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
and let's not forget his centrist, moderate, nonpartisan vote for impeachment of Clinton when the Republican coup was in the formative years. he complains about the partisan climate he created, participated in, and now finds he does not like (when the prevailing winds have changed). A real patriot.
September 18, 2007 8:46 AM | Reply | Permalink