This story just goes to show you how Howard Dean's vision of a national Democratic Party that fights Republicans everywhere can change things.  When no Democratic candidate emerged in Pennsylvania's heavily Republican 9th Congressional District, a coalition of grassroots organizations refused to allow the incumbent Bill Shuster a free pass.  With the support of several county grassroots Democratic Clubs, schoolteacher Tony Barr waged a successful write-in campaign to qualify for the ballot in November.  This was no small task.  Join me on the flip to hear about it.

"Bud" claimed he was quitting the House because of health reasons - but truth be told - he was probably frustrated by his failed attempt to keep those complicated things called "airbags" out of automobiles.  Just too darn complicated...  Or perhaps it was those ethics complaints?  The straw that broke the camel's back was probably the refusal by his fellow Republicans to suspend the term-limit rules on committee chairmanship.  He wasn't going to stay in congress if he couldn't remain uber-powerful.  Yes, probably best to just resign and pass the seat down...but to which son?