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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGOP congressman retires in a way that almost certainly hands seat to Dems
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/03/27/this-gop-congressman-just-demonstrated-what-a-headache-retirements-will-be-for-republicans-in-2018/?utm_term=.c94384a5dbcdOn Tuesday, Republicans got a reality check on just how much trouble retirements within their ranks can cause them as they try to retain control of the House of Representatives in November.
It happened in the outer Philadelphia suburbs. Rep. Ryan Costello (R) is retiring after two terms in Congress, and he did it in a way that almost certainly hands Democrats the seat.
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Whatever his reasons, Costello had decided to retire after the filing deadline for new candidates to enter the race had passed. That means Pennsylvania Republicans didn't have a chance to put a new candidate on the ballot, at least not without jumping through hoops that involved Costello staying on the ballot through the May primary. If Costello technically stepped aside after being nominated, the state Republican Party could pick someone to take his place. And then it could try to keep this seat, which has been in Republican hands since 2012.
But Tuesday, Costello said he wouldn't help them do that. As the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Tamari reports, Costello said he will pull his name off that primary ballot he is retiring, after all rather than run in the primary and drop out after he wins. That leaves little-known lawyer Greg McCauley as the only Republican on the ballot. Election analysts at Cook Political Report say he is too conservative for the district, and they give the upper hand to the Democrat in the race, Chrissy Houlahan.
cannabis_flower
(3,765 posts)Allrighty then
erlewyne
(1,115 posts)I liked him and sure wished he was a democrat.
I would not have voted for him because he is not a democrat.
He impressed me.
Volaris
(10,274 posts)and this is his way of doing his own little bit for Country over Party, without actually having to 'dirty his hands', as it were, by openly switching parties. This way, he can claim he reitred as a Republican, AND fuck over the party in favor of a Dem Congress that will take it upon itself to solve the pResidental problem (which he knows damnwell the GOP WON'T do).
Just my thoughts with no further research.
PS..He DID pick a pretty effective way to fuck over his own party apparatus, didnt he? Perhaps he thinks this will be emulated?
MagickMuffin
(15,952 posts)Hey Ryan, just pretend you're running even though you said you are retiring. No one will ever know that! Pretty PLEASEEEE!
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)This isn't a little before-dinner game of tiddly winks, after all. It's deadly serious.
Now for really dirty cheating, an attempt to defeat democracy itself, rather than just work around a rules problem, there's the census thread.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)He knows he could not continue unless he switches sides. He still clings to his Right wing ideas which he admits will not work in that District.
My guess is this,the Rethugs are going to go all in with the hate politics type of campaign nation wide. Every Race will be attack the character of the Dem opponent and avoid any and all issues.
groundloop
(11,522 posts)Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)is the all in solution the Rethugs are going to use. The Focus Group use by some News Outfit with High School Students discussing Parkland and Guns is the go to model.. Keep screaming and the Dems will cave,Frank Luntz and Karl Rove model.
Hekate
(90,793 posts)SharonAnn
(13,778 posts)mvd
(65,180 posts)because there can finally be a Democratic representative here! In fact, it is likely.
BigmanPigman
(51,627 posts)in the Phila suburbs! I grew up in Phila and the suburbs outside of the "great northeast" and can't believe the gerrymandering that has occurred since I left 30+ years ago. I wonder if he was a rep from my former residence in Hunt. Vly.?
mvd
(65,180 posts)The 6th district spread out everywhere! Just a ridiculous drawing and the Supreme Court was absolutely right. That was a great Eagles win but a Democratic wave in November would be even better!
dameatball
(7,399 posts)thucythucy
(8,086 posts)magicarpet
(14,167 posts)Paul Ryan pee in his soup or something ?
paleotn
(17,956 posts)but doubtful. Most Rethugs don't have souls, much less a conscience.
LiberalArkie
(15,728 posts)be a part of what the party became.
FakeNoose
(32,748 posts)Go Dems - Make it a BLUE Year!
longship
(40,416 posts)flibbitygiblets
(7,220 posts)SallyHemmings
(1,822 posts)I have seen my Representative more in the last three days than his entire tenure.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Will be a massive upgrade for that district. Take nothing for granted, she still need to run an active, smart campaign, as it looks like she is already doing.
bucolic_frolic
(43,281 posts)you can't win an election
Fritz Walter
(4,292 posts)After decades of dedicated work in the FBI, Andrew McCabe was looking forward to a well-earned retirement, and then Cadet Bone Spurs had the Keebler-elf-from-Hell fire him hours before he would have become eligible for a pension.
If this shit-stain on the underwear of our republic draws a penny from the US Treasury after he leaves office, its time for pitchforks and real (not Home-Depot-bought-tiki-) torches.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)I havent looked into the particulars, but McCabe is probably vested and will still eventually get a retirement, just not as good as he would have.
Marcuse
(7,506 posts)McCabe and Comey sprung the October Weiner surprise, so I wont cry for them.
Orange Free State
(611 posts)Did he do it because he wanted to monkey wrench Trump? Is it his way of saying that he is not satisfied with the direction of the Republican Party? Interesting to say the least.
PJMcK
(22,048 posts)Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!
IronLionZion
(45,528 posts)for when opportunities like this fall into our laps. We can make a lot of inroads in suburban moderate districts in many parts of the country where they might have soured on Trump or at least not be enthusiastic partisan supporters.
Ride this big blue wave to victory and run Trump and Pence into prison
pwb
(11,287 posts)Congressman need at least five years vested interest to get any pension and then he can't collect until age 62. He was a two term congressman which means he only has four years service. This guy is quitting not retiring .