The Star Tribune has now confirmed that Congressman Jim Ramstad, by all signs, is set to announce his retirement today at 3PM in Minnetonka:
U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad is expected to announce that he is retiring from Congress.
His office released a statement today saying he plans to “make a major announcement …concerning his future plans.”Ramstad has represented the Third District, made up of the southern, western and northern suburbs of Minneapolis, since he was elected to his first of 9 terms in 1990.
A spokesman for Ramstad, John Magnuson, declined to comment on the congressman’s announcement, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Minnetonka.
But an email news release on the announcement included a file entitled, “retire_advisory,” that had Magnuson’s name attached to it. He confirmed sending the document.
MNpublius.com coverage of Jim Ramstad’s retirement:
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Unlike Kline and Bachmann, Ramstad has on many occasions, stood his ground and voted for bills that do not fit the Republican line, something K and B are either too whimpy or too stupid to do. For example, Ramstad was smart enough to co-sponsor HR 1506 which called for stronger fuel efficiency standards in the American auto industry, an industry that has progressively lost market share as other manufacturers the world over have made more fuel efficient vehicles. Every single House Representative in Minnesota co-sponsored that bill, except Kline and Bachmann. What does all this mean? While it would certainly be great to get a Democrat in there, I think it is very important to point out that as far as Republicans go, Ramstad is one of the good guys, particularly when it comes to paying attention to the environment that we Minnesotans love so much.
I just hope that whoever takes over for him realizes that while the parties tend to follow an imaginary line that is created by a corporately controlled media, the voters are far more complex in their demands.
Next: Get rid of Kline and Bachmann. They are both completely useless and have done absolutely NOTHING in the interest of their constituencies.
For anyone who thinks the Republicans are going to take back the house in 2008, this is a pretty good clue that its not going to happen. Being in the minority is no fun, and Ramstad knows that if he stayed, he was going to be in the minority for awhile.
While it will be a good opportunity for the Democrats, its a shame that the dying breed of true moderate Republicans is now one closer to being extinct.
Ramstad, blah, blah, moderate, blah, blah.
Ramstad supports this war and has tried to defend the decision to go to war with the making us safer speach.
Ramstad was pushing for dismantling social security.
Ramstad voted every time for the Republican leadership, which led to their decline.
Goodbye Jim.
“speech”
“Get rid of Kline and Bachmann. They are both completely useless and have done absolutely NOTHING in the interest of their constituencies.”
Kline has been elected multiple times. Obviously, his constituencies don’t see it the way you do and your statement is just plain wrong. Either that or the Dem’s continue to put up terrible candidates (although I voted for Luther).
Fact is that the suburbs are middle of the road politically. If the Dem’s put up a moderate “blue dog” candidate they might have a chance. A liberal candidate does nothing for the majority of suburbanites that are more concerned about their taxes and the economy than anything else.
I’m hearing folks are trying to get Bob Olson out of the 6th CD race to run in the now open 3rd CD. This would give Tinklenberg some breathing room. I’m hearing Tinklenberg is rumored favorite of the DCCC.
Well, I wouldn’t vote for Ramstad over a Democrat. But his voting record was moderate for a Republican, and most Democrats who served with him will tell you he was a good guy. The electoral makeup of the district isn’t that great, and if an assclown like David Gaither gets elected, you’ll miss Jim Ramstad.
Moose, you are dead on. About democrats running bad candidates that is. As far as I know - and I could totally be wrong on this - there has yet to be a middle of the road candidate with any real appeal to run for those districts. We ran a classic hippie (while I loved her as a person) who didn’t stand a chance in Bachmann’s district. The reality is that until a real deal maker type person can get in there, it will continue to be Bachmanns and Klines who get elected. Legislators who claim to be after the best intersts of their constituencies and the continue fleecing them. In the case of Bachmann, hopefully they are thinking again about their party loyalties. Anyone who is not completely embarrassed by her needs some therapy. Kline does - I will admit - have a mind of his own in some very rare cases, but he pretty much does whatever the national Republicans tell him to do. That’s what is so disgusting about him and Bachmann. I’ve hung out in both their districts and the voters there deserve better representation, especially in Bachmann’s case. The voters have just been duped by the party loyalty at the expense of real leadership.
Even a Ramstad would be a great addition to those districts.