Well, that didn't take long:
Democrat Connie Saltonstall announced today she's dropping her bid to succeed retiring Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee...she decided to run against Stupak because of her frustration he was threatening to derail health care legislation over abortion language. Stupak decided to retire, prompting a stampede of Republicans and Democrats to enter the race for a shot at a rare Michigan open seat.
Apparently it's due to a conspiracy by the Michigan Democratic Party.
More after the fold.
Ms. Saltonstall said she is leaving the race because the Michigan Dems have "annointed" someone else. Someone else that's not her:
"The leadership of the Michigan Democratic Party has preemptively anointed [State Representative] Gary McDowell as their Democratic candidate," Saltonstall said in a statement. "They are replacing Bart Stupak with another Upper Peninsula, anti-choice, anti-women's healthcare rights candidate. From past experience, I realize that with the Michigan Democratic Party actively opposing me, I will not be able to raise the money necessary to conduct a winning campaign."
Her website has not been updated to reflect this news.
With all due respect to Ms. Saltonstall, I would suggest that perhaps the Michigan Dems chose someone they thought could actually win in this tough district.
Until very recently, Ms. Saltonstall's only campaign platform has been two-fold:
- I'm pro-Choice.
- I'm not Bart Stupak
Her experience as a politician in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is her position as a County Commissioner. Even after posting a couple of diaries here on Daily Kos just a week and a half ago (HERE and HERE), Ms. Saltonstall remains largely an unknown in terms of her positions. I, for one, have been very critical of moves to send her money and throw support behind her (or ANY candidate) until more is known about her positions. If you take a look at some of Stupak's positions over the years, for example, as I did, you'll find plenty to like along with the stuff you detest. I've never been for or against Ms. Saltonstall, just curious and needing to know more before committing my support.
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UPDATE: It's also rather odd for Ms. Saltonstall to say that McDowell has been "annointed" when the Michigan Democratic Party, with the exception this year of State Attorney General and Secretary of State, does not endorse candidates until after the August primary. The Detroit News article does not refer to her offering any proof of her claim and I find it a bit suspect, particularly since State Rep. Matt Gillard of Alpena is still in the race.
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In contrast, Mr. McDowell has experience as a state legislator which gives him considerably more name recognition and more experience -- very useful items when running for a federal Congressional seat. Whether you like him or not, he has more history as a legislator to look at when making your choice.
In other news, Democratic State Rep. Alma Wheeler-Smith has withdrawn from the governor's race in Michigan.
[S]he said in a statement that she shared a "concern of splitting the progressive vote and ending up with a candidate that does not represent core Democratic values."
Never a dull moment in Michigan politics, that's for sure.
I'm just sayin'...