NOT GOING DOWN WITH THE SHIP:

Top House Democrat Obey Won't Seek Re-Election (SUSAN DAVIS And GREG HITT, 5/05/10, WSJ)

Rep. David Obey (D., Wis.,), the third-longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, is calling it quits after more than 40 years in office, a Democratic Party official said.

The blustery and often blunt-spoken chairman of the House Appropriations Committee has decided he will not seek a 21st full term this November, the official said Wednesday.