[trapped_in_LA]

Doubt it has much to do with Tea Party pressure but more to do with cashing out while the opportunity is there for them. Bank on all these guys to roll right into cushy K street lobbyist positions so that they can legally suck up all the cash promised them when they were giving out our money to various corporate entities.

[hinckley buzzard]

The question is timing. With the GOP poised to make major gains in both houses, why should the leadership choose now to retire? With both houses, they have the first opportunity in years to do something constructive for the country they all claim to love so much. Instead, they bail. Makes no sense unless you assume they see the end of their leadership influence. That spells T.E.A.