Senator Byron Dorgan announces retirement
Senator Byron Dorgan announces retirement - This week Bill Moyers' Journal included a very thoughtful and profoundly depressing discussion with Rep, Marcy Kaptur and former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson on the virulent role being played by our major financial institutions. Those subtle and exquisite shadings of gold into purple. Yet we still rush to offer up our children's futures through unpayable debts while never considering that there might be better alternatives. In our desperation for answers we turn to High Priests of Economics never explain exactly how these sacrifices will fix the economy, nor do they mention that the sins in question might be their own. The foundations of our economy shake and falter in terrifying ways.
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced this evening that he’s retiring at the end of his term, a shocking development that threatens Democratic control of his Senate seat next year.
Dorgan was up for re-election in 2010, but the third-term senator wasn’t facing any strong Republican opposition– but was facing the growing possibility of a serious challenge from popular Gov. John Hoeven.
In his statement, Dorgan said his retirement was borne out of the desire to spend more time with his family.
“Over this holiday season, I have come to the conclusion, with the support of my family, that I will not be seeking another term in the U.S. Senate in 2010. It is a hard decision to make after thirty years in the Congress, but I believe it is the right time for me to pursue these other interests,” Dorgan said in a statement.
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With Dorgan out of the race, North Dakota becomes a prime pickup opportunity for Senate Republicans. Dorgan was still enjoying strong popularity in public polls, and was favored to win re-election. But North Dakota has been reliably Republican at the presidential level — giving John McCain 53 percent of the vote in 2008 — and the president’s domestic agenda hasn’t been viewed favorably.
Gov. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) has been considered a possible challenger to Dorgan, and may now give newfound consideration to the race now that Dorgan is retiring.
A December Rasmussen poll showed Hoeven leading Dorgan by an astounding 22 points, 58 percent to 36 percent. Both candidates, according to the poll, held very strong approval ratings within the state.
Hoeven, a third-term governor, has rock-star appeal in North Dakota, with a majority of voters (53 percent) viewing him “very favorably” in the Rasmussen survey.
Senator Byron Dorgan announces retirement - Like the Incas of old, we find ourselves helpless against forces we do not understand. The Gods and methods of sacrifice may have changed, but the tradition remains. Hundreds of years ago the Incas would sacrifice virgins to appease their Volcano God. See release on ordinance and report at. Illinois PIRG today also released a report on the need for such protections Senator Byron Dorgan announces retirement.
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