How Will It Play In Peoria?

As our mutual friend Cliff wrote, Republican Rep. Ray LaHood is retiring at the end of his term. The seat, home to the aforementioned town of Peoria, should have a competitive race for the first time since Ms. O'Leary's cow went pyro (Republicans have controlled the seat for nearly 90 years).

His retirement is important for two reasons. First, LaHood is one of a few remaining Republican moderates in Congress. He doesn't always agree with the Democrats, but his penchant for honesty and his ability to occasionally (and only occasionally) think for himself really stands out. Here's what he recently said to The Washington Post about the House Democrats.

"They've had a pretty strong quarter," said Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), who praised the insurance bill as "creative" and suggested the homeland security bill would pass overwhelmingly. "The first quarter was not so good, and that's why they're not looking so good in the polls, but this quarter is looking very good for them. They can send their members home crowing about their accomplishments, and they've done it in a bipartisan way, which is exactly what they promised to do," LaHood said.

Rest assured, there are few other Republicans in Congress who would dare to speak so candidly on the record.

His retirement is also meaningful as it really gives Democrats a chance to expand the playing field and possibly pick up more House seats. The GOP now has to play defense for a seat they never thought they would have to fight over in a state that has become solidly Democratic, especially in a Presidential year.

Given their lesser fundraising, the more House Republicans are stretched, the more likely they have to make tough decisions about where to play against the Democrats. This is good news for vulnerable Democratic incumbents and better news for Speaker Pelosi.