http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/74425-dorgan-announces-retirement
His statement:
“Although I still have a passion for public service and enjoy my work in the Senate, I have other interests and I have other things I would like to pursue outside of public life. I have written two books and have an invitation from a publisher to write two more books. I would like to do some teaching and would also like to work on energy policy in the private sector.
“So, over this holiday season, I have come to the conclusion, with the support of my family, that I will not be seeking another term in the U.S. Senate in 2010. It is a hard decision to make after thirty years in the Congress, but I believe it is the right time for me to pursue these other interests.
“Let me be clear that this decision does not relate to any dissatisfaction that I have about serving in the Senate. Yes, I wish there was less rancor and more bipartisanship in the U.S. Senate these days. But still, it is a great privilege to serve and I have the utmost respect for all of the men and women with whom I serve.
Translation: I went home for the holidays and got such an earful about voting for healthcare reform that I know better than to let the voters make their opinion of me clear at the ballot box.
“...and have an invitation from a publisher to write two more books.”
Hey, Byron - I’ve got a suggestion: write your books under the pseudonym ‘S. Palin’ - that way somebody other than Soros and the unions might buy ‘em - hell, that way somebody might even try to read them.
>> I have other interests and I have other things I would like to pursue <<
“And besides, the polls show me running about 30 points behind my likely rival.”
30 years in the Congress? This is a decision that should have been made 20 years ago. Election to the Congress was never meant to be a career position.