Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak (D) is calling it quits after an impressive 18-year career representing the people of Michigan. The likely cause? Passage of the health care bill, of course. Stupak led a bloc of “moderate” Democrats who opposed the abortion language in the bill but finally relented after the president signed an executive order to appease them. The bill was highly unpopular, and voters were definitely going to remember which side Stupak stood on.
President Barack Obama called Stupak on Wednesday and asked him not to retire. Stupak, 58, also resisted entreaties from Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the dean of the Wolverine State delegation.
Republicans immediately attributed Stupak’s decision to step down as a direct consequence of his health care vote.
“After selling his soul to Nancy Pelosi, it appears that Bart Stupak finally found the courage to tell her no,” said National Republican Congressional Committee communications director Ken Spain. “The political fallout over the Democrats’ government takeover of healthcare has put the political careers of many Democrats in jeopardy thanks in-part to Stupak’s decision to abandon his alleged pro-life principles.”
Let’s hope the GOP can take advantage of the momentum and win one in Stupak’s district.
