Stupak retiring

Bart Stupak -- the friend of Mike Doyle, and leader (with Kathy Dahlkemper) of the group of anti-abortion Democrats who sealed the approval of health care reform -- is announcing his retirement.

The surprise decision underlines the difficulties such Democrats could face in getting reelected this year, Politico notes:

“After selling his soul to Nancy Pelosi, it appears that Bart Stupak finally found the courage to tell her no," said National Republican Congressional Committee communications director Ken Spain. "The political fallout over the Democrats’ government takeover of healthcare has put the political careers of many Democrats in jeopardy thanks in-part to Stupak’s decision to abandon his alleged pro-life principles."

Republicans believe that other pro-life Democrats, like freshman Reps. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) and Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.), will also face serious trouble because of their support for the health care legislation without strict anti-abortion provisions.