Generally speaking, it is considered polite to at least wait until the new Congress begins before one starts to speculate on who will be leaving it soon. It should be extra-exciting this year because there’s at least two Republican Senators (Paul and Rubio) who are eyeing the brassiest of brass rings – the Presidency – and both of them are up for re-election next year. Heck, both of them are freshmen. Two Democratic Senators are also contemplating their Presidential chances, too – Warren and Sanders – but I don’t think that either of them will quit the Senate in order to run, which is frankly sensible of them.
Should be fun! No, really. I love retirements. It messes up everybody else’s careful calculations, at least briefly. I feel that this is generally a good thing for people; teaches them that the whole thing can’t be turned into a spreadsheet.
my money is on Cochran, soon. he didn’t really want to be there again and his wife passed last month. i don’t think his heart is in it anymore.
Which wife, the one in the nursing home or the one he spent the last several years traveling around with?
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…Too cold? Too soon?
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Mew
If Rubio really wants to be president, he needs to win reelection, then run for FL Gov in 2018, serve 2 terms there (well, 6 years or so.. because timing). Much better launching pad. He’s still young enough to do all that and run in 2024.
Concur, and would say the same for Rand Paul and Ted Cruz.
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In all three cases, they *must* acquire government-executive experience and be tested in the crucible that is a government-executive job first.
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Yes, many times when we elect a governor, we get a disaster, but *every single time* we elect a person *without* that experience, it’s a disaster..
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Mew
I suggest watching Mark Kirk.
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A stroke can almost not help but to change people, and the environment for a win by the IL GOP** is likely to be in better shape in 2016 than it’s been for quite a while, especially if Walker is on the national ticket.
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Mew
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p.s. also keep an eye on Sanguineti (R-Lt.Gov-Il) .. she needs to pick up some more experience, but could be formidable long-term.
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** a partially-owned subsidiary of the Illinois Combine
http://hotair.com/archives/2015/01/08/boxer-im-out-of-here-in-2016/
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Boxer’s out.
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Sadly, I don’t expect Cali to do any better with the replacement.
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Mew