Does McIntyre retirement signal eventual extinction of conservative Democrats in Congress?

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

The retirement of North Carolina Rep. Mike McIntyre marks another loss for the ranks of fiscally conservative congressional Democrats, raising questions about whether they can survive in the existing political climate.

 

The number of so-called Blue Dog Democrats reached nearly two dozen shortly after the group formed in 1995 to give moderate and conservative party members a more unified voice in Congress.

 

However, their ranks have slowly dwindled in recent years, taking a particularly big hit in the 2010 elections in which Republicans retook control of the House. The group now lists 14 members.

 

McIntyre, who retired Wednesday, won re-election in 2012 by just 654 votes, making it the closest House race of that year.

 

“Having answered the call entrusted through this partnership, I will be retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of this term,” the 57-year-old McIntyre said in announcing his departure in early 2015.

 

He served in the state’s seventh congressional district and was first elected to Congress in 1996.

 

His narrow, 2012 victory came after the Republican-controlled General Assembly redrew his district. And his retirement came as little surprise, as Washington Republicans targeted him again.

 

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report had the race “leaning Democrat” before McIntyre’s announcement but now has the race “likely Republican.”

 

“The conservative McIntyre is possibly the only living Democrat who could plausibly win this … district,” the updated Cook report states. “Only two Democrats in the House represent more Republican seats.”

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A dying breed?