Ureliable Progressive Obey Retiring
Late yesterday, U.S. Representative Dave Obey announced that he will not be running for re-election. Obey’s retirement was largely described as a loss for the Democratic Party, but it isn’t a tremendous loss for progressives.
Congressman Obey’s record on progressive legislative efforts has been extremely uneven. Obey voted against the resolution to authorize a rushed invasion of Iraq. He voted against the Military Commissions Act, and against the FISA Amendments Act.
However, this year, Representative Obey voted in favor of extending the worst abuses of the Patriot Act – without any reforms whatsoever. He also voted for the Stupak amendment to health care reform legislation, which would have blocked insurance coverage for comprehensive family planning.
Obey has made some good progressive votes, to be sure. He doesn’t count as a progressive superstar by any means, however, and in the current session of Congress, Obey’s record is characterized by inaction on progressive issues more than anything else. Obey’s retirement gives Democrats in Wisconsin’s 7th district to elect a more energetic and consistent progressive in his place.
Any Democrat who seeks to replace David Obey as the party’s nominee will now have about a month and a half to obtain the necessary petitions. The primary election will be on September 14.
