Wisconsin’s Obey, House Appropriations chairman, to retire this year

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Rep. David R. Obey (D-Wis.), chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has decided not to seek reelection in 2010 and will announce his retirement Wednesday.

Obey was one of several senior Democrats who had been targeted for defeat in the midterm elections that are shaping up to be difficult for President Obama’s party in Congress.

Although Obey, a 71-year-old old-school liberal, faced the toughest reelection fight he had confronted since he was elected in 1969, sources close to him said he did not really fear defeat but was ready to quit and let passage of Obama’s healthcare overhaul be the coda of his career.

Democratic officials remain confident that the party can retain control of Obey’s seat in Wisconsin’s 7th district. He is expected to be succeeded as House Appropriations chairman by Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.).

Obey is one of a few old-bull Democrats who came to Washington in another era – the 1970s and 1980s – when their party dominated Congress for decades. He was part of the reform movement of liberal Democrats who weakened the seniority system that had given conservative Southern Democrats great power in the House.

This year, with the political environment dominated by anti-incumbent sentiment and a clamor for change, the GOP has been campaigning against Obey as a politician whose time has come and gone.

Other senior House Democrats who face tough challenges from Republican opponents this year are House Budget Committee Chairman John M. Spratt Jr. (D-S.C.) and House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.).

-- Janet Hook