RINO Olympia Snowe of Maine to Retire

Quotes by Snowe:

1) “I have no doubt I would have won re-election”

2) “I do find it frustrating, however, that an atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions.”

3) “…what I have had to consider is how productive an additional term would be. Unfortunately, I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term. So at this stage of my tenure in public service, I have concluded that I am not prepared to commit myself to an additional six years in the Senate, which is what a fourth term would entail.”

4) “I see a vital need for the political center in order for our democracy to flourish and to find solutions that unite rather than divide us. It is time for change in the way we govern”

Regarding quote number 1: Fair enough. Maine's republican voters are typical of the northeast. Very moderate, and they like their RINOs.

Regarding quote number 2: It is interesting that while the democrats put out a "my way or the highway" ideological atmosphere, Snowe was good with it and voted with the democrats. When the TEA Party has gained influence and has demanded change, suddenly she has a problem with it.

Regarding quote number 3: In other words, when the going gets tough, Snowe quits.

Regarding quote number 4: What she considers the political center is actually on the Left.  The Constitution, from the standpoint of the political spectrum, is dead center.  But, because of people like Snowe, everything has moved so far to the left that now the center looks like rightwing extremism to them.

The Challenger to Snowe in the GOP was a TEA Party type candidate. The question is going to be whether Maine wants to move even farther to the left, or give sanity a chance.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Citing partisanship, Maine's Snowe says she'll leave the Senate - CNN