Sen. Jon Kyl will announce he's retiring at a presser in AZ today

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[MNlurker]

My guess?

They (I'm focusing solely on R's) don't like the idea of being held accountable for votes and actions. They liked being able to raise "PAC" money for themselves to take with them to when they finally decided to retire.

Instead they are being threatened with primaries when they don't stand for the ideals they promised to uphold when they ran. It would drain their retirement funds to have to primary and then run a general campaign they would not be assured of conservative support in.

Have I really become this much of a cynic...?

[Graybeard58]

Well that’s a good question. Health, scandal, fed up?

Wants to spend more time with his family.

Isn't that the standard answer?

[perfect_rovian_storm]

We can do better than JD, can’t we? It was fine when he was the only choice against McCain, but every time he talks, I get the feeling he’s going to try and sell me a used car in the next sentence.

Even though he didn’t win in November and will bring Gabby Giffords to the headlines, I REALLY like Jesse Kelly. I hope he at least runs in the primary.

[Reagan69]

He probably wants to spend more quality time with family/s

[SE Mom]

OMG- perish the very THOUGHT!!!!

Go sit in the corner ;)

[luv2ndamend]

Another retirement. Hmmm, whats coming?

[Servant of the Cross]

Run J.D.

[depressed in 06]

What is the replacement mechanism in Arizona?

[TomGuy]

There were rumors about this for awhile now. Wonder who the Republicans will nominate.

Airhead McCain. Oh, she's not of age, yet.

[TomGuy]

We can do better than JD, can’t we?

Hopefully so.

JD lost his House seat and his attempt at a Senate seat, IIRC.

AZ/Pubbies need to select someone who can win.

[kalee]

Sadly I think you may be correct.

[US Navy Vet]

How about Sherrif Joe for US Senate?!

[Palmetto Patriot]

Leaving in 2012.

More Here:

Jon Kyl to announce retirement today

By Chris Cillizza

[iceskater]

You aren’t alone in your cynicism.

[Col Frank Slade]

ARGHHHHHHHH ! ! !

[McGavin999]

Would be great irony if McCain had to serve with Hayworth.

That would be great but I doubt that would happen. Brewer is not a fan. However, I would LOVE it if she would appoint Dean Martin as senator. He was running for governor until the SB1070 shot Brewer up into stratispheric support. He's conservative, a great guy, ethical and Arizona could be proud to have him represent us. AND Brewer owes him big time for stepping aside for her.

[flowerplough]

I hope Kyl has been answering Craigslist ads, and I hope he’s been replying as a woman seeking men who are very fit, fun, classy(!?) lobbyist guys living in the Cap Hill area.

[Thermalseeker]

Well that’s a good question. Health, scandal, fed up?

More likely he's wanting to get out of Dodge before the SHTF and splatters on him. These guys know full well the mess they've made....rats off a sinking ship.....I bet there will be many more before the next election.....

[TomGuy]

They liked being able to raise "PAC" money for themselves to take with them to when they finally decided to retire.

McCain used some $20 million 'left over' from his presidential campaign to help his senate reelection run.

That seems like it should be investigated for ethics violations or outright campaign finance fraud. People gave that money for his president run. Why did he bank it? He was, after all, using the FEC Presidential fund to campaign, because he ran out of donated funds mid-stream during the primaries.

[newzjunkey]

Jon Kyle's 68. Sure it's young by Senate standards where they can't let go of power until wheeled out in a body bag but maybe he's had enough. He'll have to give up leadership anyway because he'll be termed out as White and he's not going to be Minority (Majority?) leader.

For the GOP congressmen John Shadegg and Jeff Flake may consider a run.. Dems have a former AG and state party chair to run for it.