Trent Lott to Retire from Senate; Become Lobbyist?

Photo from source, CNN

All of the old guard seems to be cashing in their chips. Whether by election or retirement, the big bogey-men (at least to the left) Republicans seem to keep vanishing. Just a few years ago, there was Bill Frist, George Allen, Rick Santorum, Denny Hastert, Tom DeLay, and of course Trent Lott. He of the fabled porch that Bush would reconvene on after the Gulf Coast cleanup, post-Katrina.

Lott apparently couldn't wait to get out, even though he was just re-elected last year. There's some sort of Congress-to-lobbyist law going into effect next year, and if Lott stayed in much longer, he'd have to wait two years to rake in some cash.

[Excerpt]

Pro-Business Republican Lott To Retire From US Senate

Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott's decision to retire from the U.S. Senate by year's end shocked Washington Monday, catching lawmakers and lobbyists alike off guard.

The departure of the pro-business, conservative Republican, who as minority whip was the No. 2 GOP senator, also sent the clearest signal yet that Republicans could be in serious trouble in the 2008 election. . .

Read more at: CNN.com

Another GOP Retirement: Rep. Hobson

Photo from Wikipedia.org

We all know that Democrats often fail to seize opportunity. Every time I think, "go get 'em, guys!" they seem to let me down. But with all of the Senate and House seats that were already up for grabs, and this now the twelfth announced retirement, the bases couldn't be more loaded. Note to Democrats: don't let me down this time!

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Ohio Rep. Hobson to Retire

Rep. David Hobson, a nine-term Republican from Ohio, announced plans to retire Sunday, the 12th member of his party to do so since the beginning of the year.

"I wanted to go out on top," said Hobson, who said his health is good. He would have faced token opposition at best had he sought a new term.

The 71-year-old Hobson became the third member of the Ohio delegation to announce retirement plans. Rep. Ralph Regula, who has been in Congress since 1973, announced recently he will not run again. Rep. Deborah Pryce, who narrowly won re-election in 2006, had previously said her current term will be her last. . .

Read the rest at: HuffingtonPost.com