Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) is not seeking re-election

[NAO]

He is the first (and only) openly gay Republican Congressman.

His district is heavily democratic, so I think there is a very good chance for the Democrats to pick up a seat in 2006.

[nankerphelge]

1. how can you be a member...

of a party that has nothing but contempt for you?

[mom cat]

2. It used to be called Multiple Personality Disorder but the name got

changed to Dissociative Identity Disorder. One need only block oneself from their true feelings and function in a way that benefits their perpetrators. Many abused people know how to do it and it is no surprise that gays are good at it too, as are women, people of color and most poor people.

[ruggerson]

3. The more pressing question is

how can you RUN a party that has nothing but contempt for you?

[NAO]

4. he got elected first, became popular, then came out

[BluegrassDem]

5. Let's hope there's more GOP retirements!

That's a sure fire way to ensure a Dem majority. Dems would probably win almost ever open seat, just like the Repugs did in '94. They won all the open seats from retiring Dems and took control of the House.