Please! Let This Be True!

Rahm Emanuel to Quit White House
No one's happy with his job

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is expected to quit later this year after growing weary of the "idealism" of Obama staffers who are just as frustrated with him, according to sources. He'll likely step down after midterm elections, reports the Telegraph. Emanuel still maintains a good relationship with the president, but his rapport with staffers is fatally frayed, sources said. "Nobody thinks it's working but they can't get rid of him—that would look awful," said a source.

His abrasive style and willingness to make major compromises have earned him White House enemies, who have also been frustrated by his inability to pave the way for the president's legislative agenda. "It might not be his fault, but the perception is there," said a political consultant. "Every vote has been tough, from health care to energy to financial reform. Democrats have not stood behind the president in the way Republicans did for Bush, and that was meant to be Rahm's job." It's not certain what Emanuel will do next, though he has expressed an interest in running for mayor of Chicago.

And the Horse You Rode In On, Charlie,....

Rangel to Step Down From Ways and Means Post Amid Ethics Probe

FOXNews.com

Embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel announced Wednesday that he plans to step down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee amid a wide-ranging ethics probe.

The announcement came as Republicans readied a formal resolution to strip the Harlem Democrat of his chairmanship, and as several Democrats began to peel away and call for Rangel to step down from his leadership post.

The New York Democrat made clear that he initiated the move. He said he sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday morning asking her to grant him a "leave of absence" until the ethics committee investigation into his activities is completed. Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., is expected to succeed him.

Rangel, whose autobiography is titled "I Haven't Had a Bad Day Yet," stood by that declaration Wednesday, albeit not as firm.

"I haven't had a bad day yet," he said. "But it's been close."

Really? Then what do you call THIS?

Bayh-Bayh, Evan,....

Democratic Sen. Bayh Will Not Seek Re-Election This Year

FOXNews.com

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh announced Monday that he will not seek re-election this November, an unexpected decision that hands Republicans an opportunity for a pick-up in a year when Democrats are already defending several open Senate seats.
Bayh, calling his decision a "very difficult, deeply personal" one, said he had been discouraged by the intense partisanship on Capitol Hill and that he had no interest in running in November solely "for the sake of winning an election."

"I love working for the people of Indiana," he said. "But I do not love Congress."

Buh-Bye!

Sen. Chris Dodd Will Not Seek Re-election

FOXNews.com

The Democratic stalwart had been at the center of efforts to deal with the financial meltdown and played a prominent role in the debate over overhauling health care.

Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, is set to announce he will not seek re-election this fall, Fox News confirmed early Wednesday.

The five-term Democrat's decision is the latest in a string of big-name Democratic retirements revealed on Tuesday as the party struggles to contend with a challenging political climate.

Word of his retirement came hours after North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan announced he will not seek re-election, stunning many in his party.

The departure of Dodd, first elected to the Senate in 1980, carries the most symbolic value because of his seniority and his close association with the financial system bailout and other economic policies.

Dodd, 66, is chairman of Senate Banking Committee, which was at the center of efforts to deal with the economic meltdown. And he has played a prominent role in the debate over overhauling health care, taking over for his friend Ted Kennedy during his illness and then after his death.

Given Dodd's bad poll standing, other Democrats have gone out of their way to give him the spotlight in hopes he could recover before November.