In a time when there is very little good political news, here's one item that ought bring a smile to everyone.

Zitat

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SEATTLE (AP) — Longtime Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington state announced Monday that he will not seek re-election for a 15th time when he completes his term at the end of the year.

"I retire from the House forever humbled and grateful to my constituents for their unwavering embrace," McDermott told reporters.

McDermott was first elected in 1988 and is the longest-serving member of the state's congressional delegation. He has been re-elected by wide margins, and his seat is certain to stay in Democratic hands.

After telling his family about his retirement during his 79th birthday party on Dec. 28, he said the first person he called was Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, followed by his congressional colleagues and the people in the community who have counted on him through the years.

"I wanted them to know why I was leaving and that it wasn't easy — this was not an easy decision to make, because I don't like to quit," he said. "There are things I still want to do, and I would still like to see happen, but there comes a time when you say to yourself: enough."

President Barack Obama said McDermott "has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Washington state" and has been "a much-needed voice for his most vulnerable constituents

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http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-democrat...--politics.html

The downside of this is that any Congressional district which would elect McDermott in the first place might replace him with someone as bad, or even, God forbid, worse (which would really be quite an accomplishment).

In any case, good bye Jim. Don't let the door hit you in the bum on the way out.