Wexler Set To Extinguish Congressional Fire
Robert Wexler, the “Fire Breathing Liberal” may be on the cusp of resigning his seat in Congress. From Post On Politics:
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, will resign from Congress to take a “public policy position,” several Democratic sources said today.
“He called. He is going to resign….He told me that he is moving on. Beyond that, I don’t have any any answers,” said state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Coral Springs. Ring said he is considering running in the special election to replace Wexler.Another Wexler confidant, Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson, said he talked to Wexler this afternoon and Wexler “said he had to do what he had to do for his family.” Wexler didn’t specifically say he would resign, Aaronson said, but by “putting two and two together” he concluded Wexler is leaving office.
Another Democratic insider said Wexler is considering a position related to Middle East policy. It wasn’t immediately clear if the post was inside or outside government.
The signs seem fairly strident Wexler is leaving the House; the question is why? There rumor is stated to be a “Mid East policy position”. That sure beats the standard “spending more time with the family” (which is usually cover for scandal). Several sources are reporting it is a public policy position outside of the Obama Administration; however Foreign Policy’s The Cable is say it IS a position in the Administration and the Obama White House is very tight lipped on the subject.
Wexler was an early supporter of Obama and contributed a lot in Obama’s effort to gain early traction in the critical state of Florida, so a substantial diplomatic position with the Administration should not be ruled out. There are several Ambassadorships yet to be filled including one very substantial post.
If Wexler leaves, there is little chance of the Democrats losing the seat, because the Boca Raton district Wexler fills is overwhelmingly Democratic. In addition to Jerry Ring, potential candidates for the special election include state Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel and former Broward County Commissioner Ben Graber.
UPDATE: From Laura Rozen:
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) will announce he is resigning his seat tomorrow to become head of a Middle East group, the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation, founded by Slimfast tycoon S. Daniel Abraham, Hill sources say tonight.
Also, per David Dayen in comments, “What I read is that he wouldn’t resign until the end of the year. So he’s still a vote on health care.”
Attackerman tweeted a link to this Miami Herald article:
Looks like Florida is limited to one Congress Member with a spine at a time. [Grayson better stay put…]
That is contrary to FP that says it is an Administration job. It is also rumored to not be that active an outfit at this point; if that is true then it doesn’t make sense.
I have no idea, but am trying to find out……
Yeah, I just checked their website and it looks like they haven’t done much lately–but of course when the Bushies were running the show it was probably pretty hard to recruit people to work on Middle Eastern peace–the folks working on Middle Eastern war had a lot more resources…
Wow that is depressingly true. Whoever replaces him should have to audition grilling lawbreaking lawyers b/c Rep. Wexler’s slicing of Alberto Gonzales was legend. Florida pls send us another good one!
Wow. I remember Wexler being one of the first in congress to call for impeachment. Haven’t gotten emails for contributions in a long while, now that you mention it.
Hmmmm….
curioser and curioser
Wexler on Colbert.
via Huffpo.
How convenient.
Citizen allan:
You got sumpthin or are ya jest thowin’ shit out there?
What makes you think I’m a citizen?
I might be a Chinese military intelligence agent sitting in a cubicle.
And it’s almost lunchtime.
Actually, I was just about to point out, apropos of LooHoo@10, Spencer’s post on J-Street.
Citizen allan:
Or you might have wings and funny little fingers on your feet and flown outta my ass too…if you are offended at bein’ greeted as a “citizen” you did fly outta some dark and smelly place.
I prefer “comrade”.
(taps foot waiting for Late Night)
Every Human being deserves the Rights of a Citizen of America. Besides the Chinese love Bush he let them sell us Mercury cat food.
my kitties aren’t so forgiving, and they have sharp feet.
Wiki:
I read a rumor that Wexler might become ambassador to Israel.
Any truth to it?
Citizen bmaz:
Why the curious quiet from the administration if they plan on usin’ him in an important position…the timing of this is important but I don’t know why…there is a lotta shit goin on all at the same time through the State Department in the various venues in the ME and the military and the embedded neo-fascists in the security state are puttin the heat on to stay in the game.
This isn’t how Admin appointments of ‘critters to jobs have happened before. The Army Secretary — as well as the SecState & Ellen Tauscher — didn’t resign until they were confirmed.
True, but he hasn’t resigned yet.
Good point. Of course, there are 60 votes and if Obama wants someone through, they will get through. Better question is how does AIPAC view Wexler; my guess is favorably.
What I read is that he wouldn’t resign until the end of the year. So he’s still a vote on health care.
phew!
From Laura Rozen:
What makes you think I’m a citizen?
Your own perceived sense of humor should be shelved. A coupla weeks ago you presented as a troll – and that went over big.
You really want to fuck with Norske? It’s a losing proposition, dude. When you have to explain your jokes – they’re really not jokes, now are they?
Must be another shoe to fall. Unlikely any big deal appointment would be orchestrated this awkwardly.
Wexler had a slight problem last year when it was discovered he didn’t had never owned a home in the District he represents. He is the Jewish Community’s favorite son though. He did rent a house here finally, I think fromhis inlaws – in their basement……
This morning’s email from the Fire Breathing One:
“Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) will announce he is resigning his seat tomorrow to become head of a Middle East group, the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation, founded by Slimfast tycoon S. Daniel Abraham, Hill sources say tonight”
“…founded by slimfast tycoon s. daniel abraham.”*
and then there is the tycoon who funds pro-iraqi war drums at johns hopkins U.’s SAIS.
rich folks make foreign policy in america; poor folks listen to rush limbaugh and neil boortz and vote republican/israeli.
*from wikipedia:
“…S. Daniel Abraham is an American businessman who was born and raised in Long Beach, New York. He is frequently included in Forbes 400 list of the 400 wealthiest Americans, and is notable for his introduction of the Slim-Fast beverage in the late 1970s.
A long-time donor to the Democratic Party, Abraham gave $1.5 million to the party and ranked as the number one contributor of soft money to the national parties in 2000.
He has received Honorary Doctoral Degrees from the Israeli universities of Bar Ilan, Ben Gurion and Tel Aviv, and from Yeshiva University in New York City [1].
He has strong ties to Israel, and has used his friendship with leaders in the Middle East to work towards peace in the region. He is a Board Member of AIPAC.
Abraham is the author of the book Peace is Possible, with a foreword by President Bill Clinton. The book received praise from many Arab and Israeli leaders involved with the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.”