The New York Times notes that while Liz Cheney cited “serious health issues” in her family as
the reason for dropping her Senate race, her problems were much larger.

“She ran in a state that she had not lived in for
decades rather than in her longtime home state, Virginia, she targeted a
genial and well-liked incumbent with no glaring ideological
vulnerabilities, and she carried the banner of a hawkish foreign policy
at a moment when a more restrained approach to national security is
ascendant in the Republican Party. Further, she prompted an ugly and
public split with her lesbian sister, Mary, by declaring her opposition
to same-sex marriage — and was nevertheless attacked with television ads
by a third-party conservative group over gay rights. Most of all,
though, Ms. Cheney miscalculated the degree to which her father’s
popularity among conservatives was transferable to her own race.”

Washington Post: “On Tuesday morning, Senate Republicans are expected to block an emergency measure to extend unemployment insurance. Soon after, President Obama will stand before a handful of the 1.3 million Americans who have begun to lose their benefits and try to shame Republicans for failing to help the nation’s neediest.”

“A similar political dynamic is likely to play out in the weeks and months to come as both parties battle to address mounting concerns over economic fairness and the growing gap between the rich and the poor.”

“We have tremendous respect for Liz’s decision. She and her entire family are in our thoughts and prayers.”

— Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), quoted by the Casper Star Tribune, on Liz Cheney dropping her Senate primary challenge due to “serious health issues” in her family.

Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) announced he will not seek re-election in 2014, marking yet another moderate House Republican to leave Congress, Roll Call reports.

Gerlach’s departure gives Democrats a decent opportunity to pick up the seat as Mitt Romney carried the district with just 51% in 2012.

PoliticsPA: “Gerlach was a Democratic target in 2012, but redistricting made his seat even safer for the Republican, but from the 2002 until the 2010 election, Gerlach’s district was one of the nation’s most competitive.”