Senator Chuck Hagel to retire

From The Politico-

Sep 7, 2007

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(The Politico) Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), who is up for re-election next year, will be making an announcement on his political future Monday morning at 11:00 EST in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hagel hasn't announced what his decision will be, but he has hinted recently that he may be ready to step down. Washington Post columnist David Broder, after interviewing Hagel last week, wrote that "my guess is that he will say that 12 years of battling the institutional lethargy of Capitol Hill will be enough."

Hagel has been one of the president’s harshest GOP critics on the Iraq war. He has been mentioned as an independent candidate for president because of his outspoken differences with his party over foreign policy.

Six months ago, he held a press conference where he was expected to disclose his future plans. But he declined to reveal anything, postponing the announcement until next Monday.

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) has said he would likely run if Hagel retires. Kerrey, now president of the New School, remains a popular figure in Nebraska. He served in the Senate from 1989-2001, and ran unsuccessfully for president in 1992. His entry would make the Senate race in Nebraska one of the marquee matchups heading into 2008, giving Democrats a newfound opportunity to add to their majority.

On the Republican side, Attorney General Jon Bruning has already announced, intending to challenge Hagel in the GOP primary regardless of the incumbent’s decision. If Hagel retires, Secretary of Agriculture (and former Nebraska governor) Mike Johanns would likely jump in the race. And former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub is also considering a bid.

This isn't good news for the GOP in 2008. Hagel has been a usually reliable Republican vote, though he has a critic of the war on terror. Bullwinkle is gladdened by this news, but I hardly find it anything to gloat about. Jim Addison at Wizbang Politics even goes as far as saying-

The full story is at the above link. Good damned riddance! There are several Republicans who may contest for the seat, and former Democratic Governor and Senator Bob Kerrey, now President of the New School University, has expressed interest in the race as well. For my money, I'd rather see Kerrey in the seat than Hagel. He's not as independent-sounding as he used to be, but he's not an idiot.

That happiness over Kerrey winning the seat will end as soon as the Democrat votes in a way Jim(or other conservative bloggers) doesn't like. A Kerrey win isn't good for the Republicans in any fashion. Remember I'm a registered Democrat.

Over 20 Republican Senate seats are up in 2008, Hagel's now joins the list of those the Democrats could capture.(CO, NH, VA, ME, NC, AK where Ted Stevens is under investigation, MN, and NM if Domenici retires) Nebraska while usually Republican, has elected a Democratic Senator as recently as 1994. Will Republican and conservative bloggers be cheering if the Democrats hold 55-56 Senate seats after the 2008 election?

Also discussing this news- Dr. Taylor at Poliblog, Don Surber, Below the Beltway,
Linked to- Adam, Amboy Times, Blue Star, Bright & Early, Cao, Church and State, Jo, Morewhat, Perri Nelson, Pirate's Cove, Random Yak, Right Voices, Right Wing Nation, Rosemary, Samantha Burns, Stop the ACLU, Stuck on Stupid, Third World County, Webloggin, Woman Honor Thyself, The World According to Carl,