Olympia Snowe (Republican) will Retire! Dang it!

A sensible, intelligent Republican is stepping down because she doesn’t like the direction of current politics.
by Charlie Leck

“Unfortunately, I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term. So at this stage of my tenure in public service, I have concluded that I am not prepared to commit myself to an additional six years in the Senate.” [Olympia J. Snowe, U.S. Senator from Maine]

Olympia Snowe is a politician of the sort you’d like them all to be. If you want to know more about Snowe, here’s a good story in this morning’s Washington Post. On the other hand, you all know how to search in Google these days.

As for me, I’m really sorry to see her go. She has always been a voice of reason and one eager to do the right thing rather than the political thing. She is a rare bird among Republicans and, perhaps, among politicians in general. I have immense admiration for her and always enjoyed hearing her speak because she was worth listening to.

There are strong feelings among Democrats that they might be able to win this Senate seat in Maine. I hope so, but that is really beyond the point right now. The nation needs to salute the gentlelady from Maine who served so brilliantly.

The Washington Post summed up the political situation this way.

“Given her continued popularity, her retirement is a rebuke to the partisanship that has come to define the political times in Washington. Snowe’s willingness to compromise and work with the other side has frequently put her out of step with her party, and Democrats have often looked to her as one of the Republicans willing to break ranks with the GOP leadership. Snowe’s reputation as a moderate has grown as fewer and fewer senators on either side of the aisle have been willing to take bipartisan actions.”

A very grateful nation says thank you to Olympia Snowe!

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