Wexler Stepping Down To Join Middle East Think Tank: Why Is He Giving Up Seat?

This morning the news broke that seven-term Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) is leaving Congress to lead the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation in Washington, starting in January.

The unexpected move has sparked speculation among observers of America's Mideast policy: why would a comer in Congress, who during the election became a top surrogate for President Obama in Florida and in the Jewish community, give up his seat just as things are heating up in the administration's talks with Israel and the Palestinians?

In his official statement, Wexler said that "now is the time for me to engage" on the issues of Israel-Palestine and Iran "on a full time basis."

Wexler has conditionally supported the administration's calls for a settlement freeze, and was a strong supporter of Israel's actions in Gaza beginning in December 2008.

The center, funded by S. Daniel Abraham, the wealthy creator of Slim-Fast, and linked to Israeli President Shimon Peres, is now touting Wexler's ties to Obama with a picture of the two (above, left) on the front of its Web site. And here is how the center is presenting Wexler's career.

So what do observers make of the move?

New America Foundation senior fellow (and TPM blogger) Daniel Levy tells us: "Wexler may be doing this to assist the Obama team in strengthening support -- especially in the Jewish community -- for the administration's drive to achieve a two-state solution in the next 24 months."

Levy says "Wexler will have more time and be freer politically to devote his considerable persuasive talents to this cause, and he may well have received encouragement from the White House."

He adds the center could complement the efforts of outside groups like J Street.

Then again, couldn't Wexler have an equal or greater effect on the process as a member of Congress?

Dem foreign policy hands tell Laura Rozen that Wexler wanted a salary bump to pay his kids' tuition, something Abraham will surely prove.

Spencer Ackerman, who was on the case early, notes that Wexler has recently raved about his "dream job" in Congress, and wonders if there might be some scandal about to pop.

Late Update: At a briefing with reporters attended by TPM in Washington today, Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL) had this to say about the departure of his colleague from Florida: "It was like boom! Right out of the sky."