Free Republic

2014 may turn out to be what Republicans hoped 2012 would be. Taking over the Senate, and kicking Harry Reid back to minority leader. Michigan Democrat Senator Carl Levin announced he will not seek re-election in 2014, created yet another chance for Republicans to pick up a seat. Of course the problem always is, will Republicans find a strong enough candidate to run for the open seat?

Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin announced Thursday he will retire at the end of 2014. The chairman of the Armed Services Committee, first elected in 1978, is the longest-serving senator in Michigan history and will turn 80 before Election Day next year. In a statement, Levin said the decision not to seek another term was “extremely difficult.”

NEW YORK "Doonesbury" creator Garry Trudeau again listed American war dead in his Sunday comic this Memorial Day weekend. The strip is titled "Operation Iraqi Freedom -- In Memoriam -- Since 4/28/04-- Part 1." Included are the names of hundreds of soldiers. So many, in fact, that the listing will continue next week in "Doonesbury." The names fill six panels. The first two panels carry a soldier playing taps and a line of soldiers saluting. Ted Koppel will read the names, and show photos, of 900 American dead on a 45-minute telecast of "Nightline" on Memorial Day. Last Memorial Day...