It was described as a "political earthquake" here in Wisconsin. And in Washington. The "it" was Dave Obey's announcement that he wouldn't run for re-election.
I lived in Wisconsin's 7th District--central and northwest Wisconsin--back in 1959-61, and returned to the District in 1996. My first residency was in Wausau, Obey's hometown, working as a sports reporter for the (then) Wausau Record-Herald.
I recall a meeting--maybe political, maybe sports-related--around 1961 at a Wausau supper club owned by Dave's parents. I met him that evening--I was about 26, he was almost exactly four years younger. We had a brief conversation, during which I asked if he was going to stay in the family's restaurant business. He said: "No, I want to go into public service."
He was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly from 1962-68, serving as Assistant Minority Leader in 1967 and 1969. He ran for Congress, was elected to serve in the House in April 1969 and has been reelected ever since. That's 25 elections.
So...agree with him or not, he's risen to a place of significant influence in the House. And if we assess someone's early-in-life stated goal with the way their life unfolded, it would be hard to fault Dave Obey. He wanted public service. He has committed 48 of his 71 years to that pursuit.
