David Obey, another Democrat quitter

As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, count Rep. David Obey (D-WI) as one of the top influential forces in Congress. The fact that he’s ready to walk away from it all after a 41-year House career — what does this mean for the Democrats in November?

“I am ready to turn the page, and frankly, I think that my district is ready for someone new to make a fresh start,” Obey said in an afternoon press conference in his committee’s meeting room.

Despite poor polls at home, he insisted that could win re-election in November but admitted he feared another reapportionment fight in the next Congress and a shift in the public mood against the aggressive public investments which have been his trademark.

“I do not want to be the position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee of producing and defending lowest common denominator legislation that is inadequate to that task,” Obey said, “And given the mood of the country, that is what I would have to do if I stayed.”

Sean Duffy, the Republican challenger for the WI-07 seat, now face an even brighter prospect.

Imagine being in Pelosi’s shoes lately where more and more of her House members are not after re-election or trailing in polls. She must have this dark cloud over her head all the time as she knows her reigning days as House Speaker are numbered. Yet she’s helpless to do anything about it.