LANSING - President Barack Obama's failed economic policies claimed their latest victim today when longtime Democratic Congressman Dale Kildee opted to retire rather than face voters - echoing last year's decision by U.P. Congressman Bart Stupak to retire.

"Despite representing a district with a strong Democrat voting base and spending 35 years in Congress, representative Kildee won his last race by a mere 6 percent against a Republican challenger, John Kupiec," said MRP Chairman Bobby Schostak. "Kupiec was not nearly as well known the liberal veteran Kildee before 2010."

"Michigan conservatives and tea party activists were eager for another shot in 2012," Schostak said. "Given that Democrats have to run on Obama's miserable record on jobs, national debt, and the economy, it's no wonder Kildee decided that a graceful exit was preferable to a certain defeat."

Schostak noted that urban areas within the district, such as Flint, have been particularly hard hit by years of failed liberal policies, including Obama's excessive, job-killing stimulus plan. Piling up debt, inefficient government, and high taxes have driven jobs away.

"Barack Obama is going to have to explain his record to the taxpayers, families, and unemployed workers of Michigan at some point," Schostak said. "Voters won't be buying what he's selling, and representative Kildee didn't want to be his pitchman."

Kildee will retire comfortably, and never have to look back.  He'll probably happily leave a small fortune to his heirs, while our children and theirs as well will be carrying the load created by uncountable and out of control government for the rest of their lives.  The government advanced by Democrat capitulation to the likes of Obama, Nancy Pelosi and those who pull their strings.

Go now, Congressman Kildee. Count your shekels, and pretend you have had a positive effect on your state and country.  Pretend the country is better off now, than when you started.