Olympia Snowe was one of the few Republicans in the Senate that I honestly respected, even if I did not always agree with her positions. To a certain extent I can see her decision not to seek re-election as being an acknowledgement that her vision of the Republican party as a rational moderating influence is well and truly dead, and that the need for her to pander to an increasingly extremist agenda did not sit well with her own internal moral code. However, I do think it's very good news for the Democrats.

I got to know Olympia when she spent a day helping to build our community playground back in the 80's. She came dressed in jeans and a workshirt and spent pretty much the day hammering nails, cutting wood, etc. I got a chance to talk with her while we were working and I found her to be pretty reasonable person. Sadly, her Party and base has been gunning for her for years and I really don't think she had the stomach for another go with a base that wanted to see her gone. She's ready to bail on the entire mess....probably will be staying around Washington and will become a lobbyist like her ex-governor husband, John McKernan.

Did you read her op-ed about why she is leaving? It is intense. I'll tell you I didn't think there were any republicans like her left in Congress at all. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/olympia-snowe-why-im-leaving-the-senate/2012/03/01/gIQApGYZlR_story.html