Posted on 01/11/2009 6:15:32 PM PST by Comparative Advantage
Sen. George V. Voinovich is expected to announce Monday morning that he will not seek a third-term next year, The Dispatch has learned.
Although Voinovich spokesman Chris Paulitz declined comment, Voinovich is scheduled Monday to reveal his decision in a conference call with his most loyal supporters and fundraisers.
Voinovich's expected decision would end one of the most storied political careers in Ohio history. During his more than 40 years in politics, the 72-year-old Republican has held the offices of governor, senator, lieutenant governor and mayor of Cleveland.
The Dispatch reported Thursday that Voinovich, 72, was reconsidering his longtime stance that he would run in 2010. Until last week, Voinovich had publicly insisted he would seek re-election and had nearly $3 million in his campaign treasury.
Voinovich apparently had a change of heart in the past few days or weeks that led him to at least reconsider running. Robert T. Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, told The Dispatch Thursday that Voinovich told him during a Dec. 23 meeting that he was a candidate for re-election.
Tonight, Bennett said that he didn't know what Voinovich had decided. But Bennett said he would not be surprised if Voinovich has indeed decided to forgo a third term.
"He may be having second thoughts," Bennett said. "I think George is looking at eight years, when he will be 81 and Janet will be 85. He's a family man."
Former Republican congressman Rob Portman of Cincinnati has indicated in the past that he would be interested in running for the Senate if Voinovich decided not to run. Portman, who served as U.S. trade representative and director of the Office of Management of Budget for President Bush, would be a formidable fundraiser.
Looks like we’re about to lose another seat. Great.
Rob Portman would be formidable in 2010. By then, this state and nation will be in economic chaos. Hopefully, the Dems run that NE Ohio sleezeball Lee Fisher or anybody from the Cleveland area.
Who do you think will win? names
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2162809/posts
There goes the neighborhood.
I can’t wait until the Democrats are completely in charge of this country. I can’t wait until they hold EVERY seat in the nation from Dog Catcher on up.
Life will be rainbows, skittles and ponies for every girl that wants one!
*SPIT*
Good. I wish more politicians, regardless of party, find another career after two terms in Washington, that’s enough time.
What? This is a Dim retiring and giving us an open seat to compete for, in my view.
Good riddance. Some may worry that we’ll wind up with a second Dem senator, but since Voinovich already votes like a Dem, it’s better to have a real one in there and let the Dems take the blame for bad policy.
Voinovich a Republican? I never would have known. But then there a lot of other examples who are called Republicans but never show it.
I'm thrilled! Voinovich never forgot his dem roots.
I'm praying for Ken Blackwell.
Or, we get a conservative replacement for years to come. The Dems had one lucky election cycle in ‘06 because of Taft and RINOs (and their brethren Dems) in DC screwing everything up. Now the rats are in charge and they will be held accountable. 2010 is winnable.
If it weren’t for Voinovich John Bolton would have been our UN Ambassador permanently.
A RINO with a bad haircut in cheap suits.
Sounds like good news to me.
This is a good thing. This guy and the other dinosaurs like him are the reason why the repubs lost
Oh no, I’m about to cry /sarc
A supposed “conservative” who went south like they all do.
Doesn't say much for GV or Ohio. He had a moment of clarity by being the biggest non-moron in Cleveland but since then has been the poster boy for RINOs. He makes McCain look like Goldwater.
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