Sorry for the brevity here, but people might be interested in the breaking news. Just receieved an email message from Charlie Brown's campaign, as follows:
"BROWN REACTS TO DOOLITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
Roseville: In response to today’s announcement that Representative John Doolittle will not seek re-election, CD4 Congressional Candidate and Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Charlie Brown issued the following statement:
"I believe John did the right thing today for his family, for the 4th District and for America. Now is the time to unite as Americans, heal our wounds and move forward to solve the many difficult challenges we face both here in CD4, and across the country we love."
For a little background, Doolittle is by reputation one of the most corrupt of the Republican congress folks, up to his eyeballs in the Abramoff scandal among other things. Brown, who I met at DK2 in Chicago, made a strong run and nearly unseated him in 06, in a deep-red district.
Quick reaction-- Brown was set to crush Doolittle this year. Now he will face a more credible GOP opponent, but at this point Brown has great name ID and a lot of support in his district against any opponent.
Link to Charlie Brown's website.