OH Senator Voinovich, (R) hints at retiring from U.S. Senate

[VeraAgnes]

Source: Fox News, Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- U.S. Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio is leaving open the possibility of not running for re-election in 2010.

The 72-year-old Voinovich said in a statement Friday that he's thinking about the challenging economic situation in Ohio, the direction of the country, and the best interests of his family. He said he would let the people of Ohio know quickly if he decides not to seek a third term.

The Columbus Dispatch, citing sources, reported Friday that Voinovich had told his staff he might not run again. Voinovich, a former two-term governor of Ohio, has previously insisted he would seek re-election.

Should Voinovich choose not to run, a possible Republican contenders for the seat include former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman. Possible Democratic candidates include Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Attorney General Richard Cordray.




Read more: http://www.wtte28.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.oh/3c634d6b-www.wtte28.com.shtml

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I hope this opens the door for Paul Hackett to seriously think about running for this seat.

Here another link:

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2009/01/is_this_voinovichs_last_term.html

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I've also heard, from an Ohio friend of mine, that

Kucinich is thinking about running for this seat...

We shall see.

[Divine Discontent]

6. ooh! cool! like totally different ends of the spectrum with Hackett and Dennis

I think OH would pick Hackett, not that I don't like him a lot, but Dennis would be great to see as a senator.

[Alexander]

7. That would be ironic. Voinovich beat Kucinich in the Cleveland mayor's race.

It would be nice to see Senator Kucinich.

[slipslidingaway]

15. Hope your friend is correct - Kucinich would shake up the status

quo

:)

[Auggie]

19. As much as I love and respect the Congressman, I don't see how he has

a chance in hell to win the central and southern parts of Ohio.

[Divine Discontent]

2. I was ready!

I'll be ready to change that year to '10 on my design, too!

[VeraAgnes]

10. You are indeed ready!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[liberal N proud]

3. Don't let the door hit you on the way out V.

Maybe he can join DesWine.

[Pirate Smile]

4. Yes - that would be the third swing state R retiring along with Florida/Martinez and Missouri/Bond.

Come on, Ohio!

[Alexander]

9. Kit Bond is retiring?

Does his want to spend more time with his alcohol?

[Pirate Smile]

14. I don't know why but he is out in Jan. 2011.

[derby378]

5. SENATOR PAUL HACKETT!

:applause:

[no_hypocrisy]

8. OH Gov is a dem, right?

[LiberalHeart]

11. Yep.

[Ken Burch]

24. Sort of.

He'd be an organizational vote, anyway.

The question is, do we have to settle for that.

Sherrod Brown proved a real Dem could win an Ohio Senate seat(as Metzenbaum repeatedly had for decades, of course).

[Corey_Baker08]

25. Yes My Governor here in Ohio is a Democrat & a Damn Good Governor

I would love to see Kucinich or Hackett Get This Seat...Ohio is truly turning Blue and will stay Blue in 2010 and 2012

[ellacott]

12. I don't hear about Paul Hackett anymore, what is he doing now?

I don't like people that show up just for elections. We had a guy run for Mayor of Cleveland who used to work in the Clinton administration. He hadn't been in Cleveland for years and he came back just to run. He lost and moved out of the city right after the election. I couldn't support him because I didn't feel he was invested in the community. I feel the same way about paul Hackett.

[LiberalHeart]

13. There's one thing I will miss about him: his concern about environmental issues.

[Ikonoklast]

16. Voinovich knows that he is toast.

No sense in running; he has already lost. He is tired of the process, his performance has been lackluster at best, and has done little or nothing for this state, except carry water.

Kucinich has no chance, he would get slaughtered in a state-wide election. He is probably more well known on DU than by any voter south of Route 30 in Ohio.

I would like to have Marcy Kaptur run for the Senate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcy_Kaptur

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My Ohio friend knows Kucinich personally...

:shrug:

[Ikonoklast]

20. I knew Gary, years before. Met Dennis when he was broke.

But Dennis actually has a very small constituency outside of Cuyahoga County, and the further downstate you go, the more socially conservative the state gets.

Even the Dems.

Dennis lost a state-wide primary for SecState to Sherrod Brown, back in '82, coming in second in a four-way race.

I wouldn't mind him running, I just like Marcy's chances better.

[LiberalHeart]

18. Marcy is the real deal. A genuine public servant.

[No Elephants]

21. Before the 2006 election, a number of Republicans were gripped by the sudden, compelling urge to

avoid losing an election. Er, I mean, to spend more time with their families. Ditto 2008. I see 2010 is shaping up nicely, too. I loves me the family values that lead Pub incumbents to retire, even if they are lying through their Pub teeth.

[ellie]

22. Good riddance to bad rubbish

I hate Voinovich.

[Aristus]

23. Hit the road, George. I think of all the times a sensible vote from him could have derailed

bad Republican legislation or fast-tracked good Democratic bills. I e-mailed him several times asking him to do the right thing, rather than the popular or ideological thing. And got bubkes in return. May we never hear from you again, Senator...

[Corey_Baker08]

26. As a Buckeye I would love to see SOS Jennifer Brunner Run.....

Yet this past election would not have gone as smooth and as open as it was hadn't we had an excellent SOS like Jennifer Brunner. I have met her personally and I truly believe she has the charisma, intelligence, and integrity to hold the seat.

Next to her I believe Dennis Kucinich, Richard Cordray, Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman, and Paul Hackett would also represent the state of Ohio in the Senate Great!

[struggle4progress]

27. Looks like the Publicans will slidie further and further to the right

Voinovich worked hard to keep John Bolton from winning confirmation as UN Ambassador