David Obey Won't Run

On the very day that Sean Duffy has launched a new online grassroots campaign site, we get word that David Obey will not run for reelection.

That is HUGE!

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wisconsin) told associates that he will not seek re-election and that he could announce plans as early as today, according to the website Politico.com.

Obey has roughly $1 million in the bank to defend the congressional seat he has held for more than 40 years. That amounts to five times the campaign cash held by his strongest GOP challenger.

Obey came to Congress in 1969, succeeding Mel Laird, who was appointed defense secretary.

...As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Obey helps makes spending decisions for every federal program.

...Republican Sean Duffy has argued he believed he could knock the 21-term incumbent from his high-profile post.

That stimulus has come back to bite Obey.

He is toast.

Politico reports:

A press conference has been called at 1 p.m. and Obey staff indicated that he would announce his plans then.

Obey isn't even going to try to defend his seat.

This is a great victory for Duffy, defeating Obey months before the election.

Another Democrat bites the dust.
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This message came from Duffy's campaign manager, Matt Seaholm, just minutes within Politico's running of the Obey story:

Duffy for Congress is launching its "Roll with Sean" grassroots organizing platform and we want you to join us.

Without you, we cannot win this race. David Obey has held this seat since 1969 and has racked up a war chest of more than $1.4 million, with more special interest money on its way. The only way to beat him is create the best grassroots organization that central and northern Wisconsin has ever seen.

Roll with Sean, allows you to find events in your area, interact with other volunteers, and organize campaign efforts directly with the campaign. You can find regular updates on Roll with Sean and post information you think would be helpful for other supporters of Sean.

We have the people. We have the passion. Roll with Sean will give us the tools we need to focus our energy and make our campaign effective in retiring the #1 spender in Washington!

I encourage you to go to http://rollwithsean.com/ and connect with our team. Be sure to check out the groups and join any and all that you want to be part of. You can join your county's group to stay up to date on the latest local info. Then invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join through the "invite" tab at the top.

With your help, "Roll with Sean" will be the vehicle that takes us to victory in November.

Let's roll!
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Scott Walker posts on Twitter:

In budget meetings all AM @ courthouse. Stepped out & heard news of Obey's retirement. Shocking.

It is shocking, but it's a really good kind of shock.
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Republican National Committee: Statement on David Obey's retirement

“As one of the go-to Members who orchestrated the failed stimulus, it’s no surprise that David Obey realized that he was taking a major hit in the polls. This plays into the greater story that we will see in November, that Americans are overwhelmingly rejecting the tax and spend agenda of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.” – Ryan Tronovitch, RNC Spokesman

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David Obey's press conference, announcing his decision to quit, is really rather pathetic.

He looks tired and beaten. Of course, he still manages to have enough energy to bash his political opponents.
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Duffy's statement on Obey's retirement.