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February 28, 2012
Shock: Olympia Snowe To Retire
Breaking.
UPDATE [Slublog] - Well, I didn't see this coming. Apparently, neither did her staff:
Snowe’s reason for taking a pass on re-election, especially when she was so enthusiastically running up to this point, and especially as close to the filing deadline as this is, are mysterious. As I said before, this kind of thing does not happen in politics.
I am told her own staff was unaware of this decision until just hours before the statement went out – just long enough to actually work on the release and send it out.
Political earthquake, indeed.
Check the link to see some potential GOP candidates who can replace Snowe on the ticket. The GOP currently controls the legislature and the governor's mansion, but that doesn't guarantee future electoral success. Frankly, those victories were an anomaly in a state that normally votes solid blue so the GOP's chances of keeping that seat are extremely slim, especially in a presidential election year. I've seen a lot of people express glee that the Senate is losing a RINO. Unfortunately, the voters of this state are more than likely going to replace her with a hardcore leftist.
The Maine GOP was also surprised by the announcement, so the upcoming scramble to find a viable candidate is going to be about as much fun to watch as the GOP presidential primary.
My gut feeling on this is similar to Gagnon's - there's something we're not being told yet. Snowe has been in campaign mode for months now, and to drop out so suddenly is very strange.