Running Or Not

The Republicans can't catch a break in Washington. A Senator who is not currently under investigation for bribery or stealing or inappropriate anything is retiring, and one who does happen to be under investigation defiantly decides to stay. Merry Christmas, GOP.

Chuck Hagel is retiring. He is not running for President, but I'm sure his retirement doesn't make too many people in the Republican caucus all that sad. He's been a vocal critic of everything the Republican Party has been getting wrong for a while. According to Politico, former Senator Bob Kerrey may try to get back in the club in the aftermath of Hagel's departure.

John Doolittle, a Republican Congressman from California who has a suitcase of ethics problems, has decided he is running again. Cillizza thinks Doolittle is such damaged goods that likely Democratic challenger Charlie Brown will beat him like a drum. I'm inclined to agree, but Doolittle will probably be ousted by Republican forces long before that happens. Or maybe not. The wheels are coming off and the proverbial fat is in the fire. As Doolittle is tied to the granddaddy of all GOP scandals, things will get ugly for him if he sticks around.