Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

yortsed snacilbuper

(7,939 posts)
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 05:57 PM Dec 2019

Republicans are leaving the House at a record pace. Why?

So far this year, 22 Republicans in the U.S. House have announced that they will not run for reelection next November. This represents the most retirements for either party in a non-election year this decade, according to an analysis by CBS News.

By comparison, six House Democrats have announced their retirements this year.

From potentially competitive 2020 reelections, to a growing dread of life in the minority, here are some of the factors that play into this year's Republican exodus.

After a year of court battles over partisan gerrymandering, a panel of North Carolina judges have approved a new set of congressional maps that are much less Republican-friendly.

Three House Republicans from North Carolina have since announced their retirements: George Holding, Mark Walker and Trump ally Mark Meadows.

|link

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Republicans are leaving the House at a record pace. Why? (Original Post) yortsed snacilbuper Dec 2019 OP
Because it sucks being them? pwb Dec 2019 #1
These soon to be former GOP politicians are tired of all the winning. guillaumeb Dec 2019 #2
Orange Shitgibbon-itis. They're too infected to survive a re-election. marble falls Dec 2019 #3
Republican gave up counting on "honest elections" MurrayDelph Dec 2019 #12
They are leaving because they know they can't win in a honest election. A lot of these ... SWBTATTReg Dec 2019 #4
Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2019 #9
I think the #1 reason is hating the minority spot and fear the Dems will keep control of the House. napi21 Dec 2019 #5
This. The vast majority agreed to be corrupt before they Hortensis Dec 2019 #14
They see the writing on the wall. DinahMoeHum Dec 2019 #6
Does anyone else think they are leaving to reap the benefits of the corporations Tech Dec 2019 #7
Yes! redstatebluegirl Dec 2019 #18
As ex Representive Jolly said, Wellstone ruled Dec 2019 #8
fucking cowards Skittles Dec 2019 #10
And some wan to put some distance between them and Russian/NRA money Patterson Dec 2019 #11
They are leaving in droves so that they can learn a new trade and get their next NCjack Dec 2019 #13
That's ok, we have been assured they are going to take back the House...😜 dewsgirl Dec 2019 #15
Keep these retirements in mind gratuitous Dec 2019 #17
Much of the rest is distraction, propaganda and gaslighting. Each time dewsgirl Dec 2019 #19
Remember a lot of those districts are gerrymandered to the hilt. redstatebluegirl Dec 2019 #21
Orange County went solid blue in 2018 rufus dog Dec 2019 #16
I think they all took Russian money and now they are afraid of going to jail. redstatebluegirl Dec 2019 #20
because everything is perfect! Takket Dec 2019 #22
Why not? Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Dec 2019 #23
It's the Trump party now budkin Dec 2019 #24

MurrayDelph

(5,299 posts)
12. Republican gave up counting on "honest elections"
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 07:08 PM
Dec 2019

decades ago.

They've got a problem with being doubly-damned; they can't won a primary if they vote against 83, but may not win a general if they don't.

SWBTATTReg

(22,133 posts)
4. They are leaving because they know they can't win in a honest election. A lot of these ...
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:11 PM
Dec 2019

republicans are in office due to Gerry rigged districts and know that in a fair and honest contest, they simply can't win.

What I can't get over is that why don't they stay and fight the corruption and such that rump and his cronies are bringing? If enough of them say Enough is enough, then they can make a difference. They are not even trying, and instead, are cowards in leaving, instead of staying and helping to fix the problem(s) they helped bring in.

Response to SWBTATTReg (Reply #4)

napi21

(45,806 posts)
5. I think the #1 reason is hating the minority spot and fear the Dems will keep control of the House.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:14 PM
Dec 2019

#2-Sick of having to defend DT! It has to be hard to constantly defend a person who is always doing & saying the wrong thing.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
14. This. The vast majority agreed to be corrupt before they
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 07:30 PM
Dec 2019

were elected, although they dress it up with various justifications. That's what they signed on for and looked forward to as part of a "winning" team. They aren't happy with lack of opportunity to advance and the poorer prospects for future rewards from not being able to come through for their funders.

DinahMoeHum

(21,794 posts)
6. They see the writing on the wall.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:16 PM
Dec 2019
They and the GOP are gonna get wiped out BIG TIME in 2020*


(* But only if we get our side, the uncommitteds and those who stayed home in 2016 out to vote)


Tech

(1,771 posts)
7. Does anyone else think they are leaving to reap the benefits of the corporations
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:18 PM
Dec 2019

and the rich. Time to get paid for selling the country. The amount of money they will get will be very small next to the tax savings alone for big Corp and the rich. The money saved by deregulation will be large for companies, the cost to society will be huge. They will get positions with newly privatized organizations. How much money has been poured into privatizing education and prisons. Ice and homeland security. And if they truly do retire, watch where their kids get jobs.

I know it sounds paranoid, but they have done their job. What are we going to do, sue them? They have rigged the courts. Let's all watch where they go and what they do.

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
8. As ex Representive Jolly said,
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 06:18 PM
Dec 2019

they do not know how to act now that they are in the Minority. And their Leadership refuses to deal with Reality they will be in the Minority for decades to come.

NCjack

(10,279 posts)
13. They are leaving in droves so that they can learn a new trade and get their next
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 07:16 PM
Dec 2019

profession bringing in money. For example, bank robbery, embezzlement.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
17. Keep these retirements in mind
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 07:59 PM
Dec 2019

Every time you hear the Republicans holding forth on how they're going to have a banner year in 2020. They're not dealing in reality, and they're just priming the base for their inevitable pity party when they get munched next year. Even some of the folks in Freeperville are getting tired of Republican whining, even from Needy Amin.

I'm no political strategist, but I fail to see how the Republicans have done anything to attract more votes in 2020. They've certainly given their hard core lots of strokes, but how do they win over moderates and undecideds with their increasingly shrill rhetoric?

dewsgirl

(14,961 posts)
19. Much of the rest is distraction, propaganda and gaslighting. Each time
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 08:16 PM
Dec 2019

I hear anything about them taking back the House, the depths of their disillusion strikes me, I don't know why this in particular gets me...it may be that I think some of them somehow, truly believe it.😳🙄

redstatebluegirl

(12,265 posts)
21. Remember a lot of those districts are gerrymandered to the hilt.
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 08:23 PM
Dec 2019

I could win running as a republican in those districts.

 

rufus dog

(8,419 posts)
16. Orange County went solid blue in 2018
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 07:50 PM
Dec 2019

Now we have more diversity than most other districts, thus the leading edge.

High income earners with big mortgages got screwed by the tRump tax cuts. Some figured this out before the taxes were due, but reality hit all in 2019.

Look at the resignations, Texas burbs, NJ burbs. the Repukes are hearing it when they go home and are getting out before going down.


Takket

(21,577 posts)
22. because everything is perfect!
Mon Dec 23, 2019, 08:23 PM
Dec 2019

drumpf has made the US great again so there is really nothing left to do and everyone is happy and everything is great!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Republicans are leaving t...