Kerrey said Wednesday he will not run for the Senate.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Sen. Bob Kerrey announced Wednesday he will not run for the Nebraska Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Chuck Hagel, ending weeks of speculation he might seek a return to Capitol Hill.
"For my family and me now is not the time for me to re-enter politics as a candidate," Kerrey, a former Democratic senator from Nebraska and now the president of New School University, said in a statement. "The New School is an exciting and talented community of men and women. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to lead them."
Hagel, a two-term Republican, announced last month he would not run for re-election, nor seek the presidency in 2008. Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns quickly threw his hat into the ring on the Republican side and Democrats hoped Kerrey would follow suit, setting up a closely fought race in what is a solid Republican state.
"All of us need to resist the temptation of surrendering our interest in the outcome of elections or the work of our Congress. Too much is at stake," Kerrey said in his statement. "For my part I will continue to engage in the public issues of the day and to serve in ways that contribute to the solution of public problems."
Kerrey served as a senator from Nebraska from 1989-2001. He unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992.
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Come on Bob! We NEED you!
This is a shame, he is an honorable man, I just hope the New School realizes they have a true leader.
Good. What would be the point now of a contest where a war-supporting (probably)Republican and a war-supporting Democrat were running against each other to replace somebody like Hagel?
This should open up the field for some more progressive Dems to have a go.
Bob Kerry was a good senator, but as far as accurately representing a heavily-Republican state like Nebraska after being at the New School was probably a stretch - that place is about as far-left as you can get.
I wonder if we have enough food for the future? In reality, food is the most important thing, not DVDs, sports, or cars. We'll all die without food. I wonder how much food supply we have?
In the context of other bad news for Democrats this week (like the first poll of the ME Senate that has Collins up big), this definitely closes the door to Dems approaching 60 seats.
I think this was a good decision for Kerrey, he is a fine intelligent person. Nebraska is a true RED state and why waste the time, effort, and money let them elect someone who will follow the agenda of the neo-consevative, right wing, christian right agenda...
Bob Kerrey's skull looks like it's about to burst open. This severe, weak little man doesn't have the courage or conviction to run for president. Thanks for nothing Bob
Yes, Bob Kerry, who lost a leg fighting for this country is a coward. If those leading our country now had half the courage of this man, we'd be a lot better off and we would not be invading countries simply on testosterone rushes.
A tad off topic, but Kerrey is still one of my favorite Senators for asking rhetorically about his colleague Rick Santorum's name, "is that Latin for [sphincter ani]?"
Speaking of testosterone rushes, how do you think that Vietnamese village Kerrey and his comrades slaughtered feel about his courage? Sorry, but he's the last person you should champion as a true man of reason when it comes to war.
Isn't anyone else concerned that we're losing wise, experienced members of Congress like Hagel and Hutchison?
And to think that I'm not even a Republican . . . sheesh.
Typical abusive, childish right-wing comment–insult a war hero's bravery and mock the shape of his head. When is this country going to grow out of listening to people whose politics and behavior are worse than bullying third-graders?
To Jean of Phoenix, thats a sick comment!Shame on you! It is his life and his choice to run or not to run for public office. I seriously doubt that many people have accomplished what he has. While I would love to see him run for office, he deserves the respect to do what he wants.
If I were someone from Nebraska, I would encourage Kerrey to run if there seemed to be no other good person to run. Are there any other contenders from this state? I hope so.