The most likely factor in his decision to retire is the looming
implementation of ObamaCare. As Chair of the powerful Senate Finance
Committee, Baucus was a chief architect of Democrats' overhaul of the
health care system. Baucus recently rued that ObamaCare is headed for a "huge train wreck."
In November, Montana voters overwhelmingly approved
a ballot initiative, with almost 70% of the vote, to prohibit the state
from enforcing a federal mandate to purchase health insurance. While
federal law trumps the ballot initiative, the vote is a good sign of how
unpopular ObamaCare is with Montana voters. That vote likely triggered
Baucus' thoughts of retirement.
Very surprising. While it would have been a very expensive and nasty campaign I have no doubt he would have won again (remember he was first elected in 1973). At age 71, and after 40 years in Congress, I guess maybe he wants some other life in his remaining years.
Unfortunately our former democrat Governor B.S. is the likely favorite to replace Max. The only uncertainty is if the US Senate is a prominent enough of a stage to support B.S.'s ego.
Very surprising. While it would have been a very expensive and nasty campaign I have no doubt he would have won again (remember he was first elected in 1973). At age 71, and after 40 years in Congress, I guess maybe he wants some other life in his remaining years.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately our former democrat Governor B.S. is the likely favorite to replace Max. The only uncertainty is if the US Senate is a prominent enough of a stage to support B.S.'s ego.
I don't know enough about Montana politics to comment, but the Senate is a pretty big stage ... especially if one is in the party in control...
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