WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sources close to Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, tell CNN he will announce Monday he is retiring from the Senate.
The 72-year-old senator and former Ohio governor has been contemplating retirement for a while but made his final decision this weekend in Florida, where he was joined by his wife, children and grandchildren, according to one of the sources.
Voinovich plans to serve out his term, which expires in 2010.
He plans to make the announcement at 4 p.m. ET Monday in Washington, the source said.
Voinovich will be the fourth Republican senator to announce he will not run for re-election in 2010. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, said late last week that we would retire, joining Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Florida, and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, who had already announced they would leave Capitol Hill when their terms end at the close of the 111th Congress.
Republicans must defend 15 incumbents and four open seats in 2010. (Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, whose term is not up until 2012, is seriously considering a 2010 gubernatorial bid and could also be vacating her seat early).
Meanwhile, Democrats have to defend 15 incumbents and two seats where special elections are expected to be held. In Delaware, a special election will be scheduled for Vice President-elect Joe Biden's seat as well as a special election in New York should Hillary Clinton be confirmed as the next Secretary of State.
From CNN Politics
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The ones that are retiring are not the ONLY ones that will be leaving. WE are tired of them working for themselves instead of US.
Vote the rascals out until we get a bunch of ethical people in DC.
All those Republicans can not stand the idea of being in the minority after all those years "in power." It just isn't fun anymore!
The kitchen is getting pretty HOT!
Number 2 not running, looks like he sees the writing on the wall.
The rabid right would rather be right than in power.
For once, we finally agree on something!
Run, Republicans, Run!
Can't handle not being in charge of everything – so head back home now. Suits me JUST fine!
Too bad. I live in Ohio as an unaffiliated voter, but I liked Voinovich and Brown. They are a well-balanced representation of the state in the Senate.
To George Voinovich – time after time in the Senate, you said all the right things about fiscal responsibility but then voted the Bush line and sent the country over the cliff. EJM Granville Ohio
Good. I am a senior but really want to see some new idealistic attitudes in there.Don't care whether they are dems, independents or Republicans. Just want some honest new ideas that are looking to do something for their country instead of themselves. Lets get some strongminded Iraq vets in...
Another one bites the dust!
Quick Alert Joe the Plumber.
Will the last GOP Senator leaving the cloak room, please turn out the lights!
Seriously, McConnell had better start being "constructive" and do his duty. Offer differing solutions, compromises et al., but don't use that fillibuster to stop the Obama administrations plans dead in their tracks. The math states that after 2010 they could lose even that advantage.
Think about it!
Gosh, maybe Ken Blackwell will do us the favor of running for the seat so WE CAN KICK HIS BUTT AGAIN.
I faintly remember V. resisted Bush in some way, some time ago. God bless him! Mind you, I love George Bush in many ways. Why can't we all get together? Now, who said that.... Rodney King, and I must say, flawed as he is, and flawed as I am, and flawed as W is, and for goodness sake, flawed as O is, hey, Rodney was right! Why can't we relax and do good ad kindness to one another. Let's do just that!
Well, I've been sending Mr. Voinovich digs for the past few years about how he hasn't done anything for Darfur. Now, maybe that he's retiring, he'd like his legacy to be that he was part of a bipartisan effort that actually DOES something there for the people instead of just voting in favor of meaningless resolutions.
Good riddance.
21st century problems can't be fixed by gits who still use methods from the 20th century.
Old foggies need to get out of D.C. I am certain they are PART of the problem. I bet you Voinovich doesn't even know how to text on his wireless phone.
Maybe now he can be a Wal-Mart greeter.
It won't matter. The GOP will pick up seats by virtue of not being the Democrats in 2010. So let's not crown it the filibuster proof Congress just yet.
This is so typical of cnn. The headline for this article is so misleading, as typical of this "news" network. The headline implies its message with an inherently negative tone. It implies a link between the recent republican losses in the previous election to this particular senator's retirement. Just report the news, don't try to make it and/or interpret it. It just gets so old. What's wrong with simply reporting that "Senator so and so will be retiring..." Why report it as you did? And I love how the headline changes when you actually click on it.
Good luck in the future Senator Voinovich. You served Ohio well and often voted against the Repubs on important issues. You saw your share of sadness-esp after Molly's tragic death- but you soldiered on for Ohio in so many capacities. You are a true public servant.
Their dropping one by one. But, what's going to happen when the
Democrats prove to be just as pathetic as the Republicans?....
Prediction: Democrats will not fare so well in the upcoming senate elections. Why? Because the messiah has setup the expectations so high that when the Democratic congress fails to deliver it will be very clear who is at fault. They use to have the republicans to blame, but who will they blame now ? the house-D, the senate-D and of course "The one" in the white house. Americans are going to began to realize that politicians can't fight special interests, they are those special interests.
Our fore fathers never ment running for office to be a career. It was ment to be an act of public service that would require the person to return to private life after it was completed.
If they followed this guideline then maybe we could get things done in this country without so much corruption.
Why should any of these ever work again,they are rich after recieving millions each from the illegal war in Iraq.Take your money and run like the crooked Bush and Cheney are!!!
This is great! Keep it comin, Republicans! Keep it comin!
The rats are jumping ship. That so many Republicans are retiring is indicative that the battle to save the GOP does not go well. Some of them understand that if the party does not rid itself of the radical right wingers and move to the center, their viability as a party is impossible. Yet the neocons will not give up until they've destroyed the party.
This is the second big exodus for the GOP in recent years. Remember that between 1994 and 2000, almost all the moderate and liberal Republicans retired. Many stated that the GOP had been usurped by right-wingers who did not truly embrace Republican ideals.
I guess republicans are really as stupid as I thought, they can see the writing on the wall.
Rob Portman will run for this seat and win.
Sure can't blame him. Who would want to have to see Harry Reid every work day?
Now that they will have a boss that has said he won't give them everything they want they are bailing....interesting closer look at the character of these gentlemen
22 OF THE 100 SENATE MEMBERS, ARE OVER THE AGE OF 70!
CONGRESS TERM LIMITS . . . 12 YEARS, NO RETIREMENT!
THAT COULD SAVE THE TAX PAYERS "A LOT OF MONEY"
but that will NOT exonerate these rats
from law suits for their crimes against humanity
as long as they are alive,
wherever they may try to hide their sorry arse!
you will be pursued to the end of the world,
till justice is finally served to the last rat on earth!
Boy, it's unbelievable how thin skinned these guys are when they're not in power.
I am a lifelong Ohio democrat. Senator Vionovich is the only republican I have ever voted for. He is a good politician and an even better man. He is what is right with politics either and a democrat or republican.
Yay! Another one bites the dust.
first the Florida GOP senator, now Ohio's, the Democrats are definitiely going to spend all of their time and money on these races
No one can blame them when the culture in the GOP attracts folks like Palin and Joe the dim wit.
I guess the damocrats (I meant damocrats, it's not a misspelling) can steal another election. They're pretty good at that and have you and the other news media to cover it up for them!
And another one bites the dust!
9 days till the end of the Bush administration.
Thank God! Good Riddance, George! Please resign tomorrow. Do it for Ohio. Do it for Palestine and America. Do it for yourself.
like rats from a sinking ship...
Shocked. I am so suprised.
Anyone else? I'm loving this. May they all retire. Then when they're done, maybe the Democratic Party will quit their spineless whining about, "don't have a majority in the Senate to get an impeachment of..."....oops the Bush has done left the building. The elephant has stumbled, the elephant is dying.
So? Let all of them retire. It saves them the humilation of losing re-election. Republicans are going the way of the Whig Party.
This is very sad. Senator George Voinovich will certainly be missed in the Senate. He was a great guy and truly cared about issues plaguing Ohioians. I wish him a great retirement.
Will Rob Portman run to replace him...?
The GOP Senators are running away as fast as they can. Ohio is trending Democratic. The hand writing is on the wall. This seat will go Democratic in 2010.
Another one bites the dust. The Dems will probably have around 65 senators in 2011 and the GOP will fall apart.
One more down – Only 39 to go...
I was born and raised in Ohio, and while I don't live there any more, I still consider myself an Ohioan. I also lean far to the left, so it would take a lot for me to like a Republican, but Voinovich has always had my respect. I haven't always agreed with him, but he goes more on facts and his opinion than the party line, and with the state of the country we need more senators of this mindset. I'm sorry to see him go, but I wish him all the best.
Good. Good-bye and good riddance. One less Republican to stand in President Obama's way as he tries to repair the damage the Repubs have done to this country.
Now, only about 40 more to go.
Wow another republican responsible for burning our tax dollars
for years is leaving! Thank you Jesus! A terrible Gov and a Senate
record that is just as pitiful! This guy has stood in the way of progress for years by drinking the reaganomics kool-aid!
Hey you have the right to be a bigot, prejudice, rat bastard, but
you lose the right to CREATE LAWS FOR OTHERS TO LIVE BY!
AKA THE DECIDER!
that is ok
That is one of the drawbacks to being the party of old white men. Keep em coming boys!
So long. You won't be missed.
Thank you Senator Voinovich for your wonderful service to the State of Ohio as Governor and as our Senator. You will be missed and should always be proud of the job you did!!!
Another Bush apologist jumps off the sinking ship which is our country. Republicans should have to pay a special tax for the next 60 years as reparations for the long lasting damage they have done to our country.
Good. He has blood on his hands and he'll have to live with that for the rest of his days.
Good riddance! While Clinton was president, Senator Voinovich was such a supporter of Serbian aggression and persecution of Muslims and Catholics that it was disgusting. Putting the interests of one's ethnic group ahead of America is treasonous. In the very least, he should have been expelled from the Senate. However, the ultra-partisan, criminal Republicans in Congress would never have given it a thought. It was much for fun for them to go after Clinton for having an extramarital affair. To them, the only Muslims worth defending are those that come from petroleum-producing lands. For such places they are quite happy to provide your sons and daughters as cannon fodder. Just like the ballooning federal debt–it is only a problem when a Democrat is in the White House. If its a fudgin' Republican, spend away, especially for war!
Good Ridance-who really cares!
How many freezers full of cash does he have?
Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How nice to get rid of the republicans and the conservative opinions they profess!
let some more of the old people retire and turn their seats over to the younger generation.
Three special elections for the Dems, genius. I believe Obama is a Senator. There will be a special election there, too. Seriously, what do they pay you for?
The fewer republicans the better....drop the toilet seat on your way out.
Bye!
It's good to get out while you can.If you don't you can bet someone will investigate you just because they can.
Good, all these guys that have been in office for eons should retire. If we had term limits on congress and the senate, we wouldn't have a bunch of 65+ year olds using a public service job like a corporate job.
Used to think Voinovich was a bad governor until Bob Taft got elected. Gained more respect for Voinovich when I found out he didnt think much of George Bush.....then when I found out he wanted us out of Iraq I really started to like the guy. I'm not in his party and never voted for him either time as governor or for US Senator, but I can say I now respect the guy....and that's more than I can say for most in Washington.
Another victim of Bush – he has to quit because he'd get stomped in the election!
He should have resigned after the first time he burst into tears- what a legacy.
Finally.
As an Ohio resident I will be the first to say that old George never did a thing for Ohio in his life except be a stooge for old W.
He should resign now and do the whole state a favor.
I imagine that the House retirements will be even more profound in 2010. At least, in the Senate, being in the minority still provides members with power and influence. In the House, being in the minority equates to zero power and zero influence, especially now that Speaker Pelosi is hardening the rules of the institution to consolidate her power base.
Pray for Obama and his team! They have such a mess to clean up after these guys leave!!!
get all the relics out by 2012
Watch the rats abandon the Republican ship.
@Buck: "I am a lifelong Ohio democrat. Senator Vionovich is the only republican I have ever voted for."
You took the words right out of my mouth, Buck. Voinovich is a truly old-school Republican that cares more about what is right, than simply voting along party lines. He's not one of these Bush Doctrine idiots that have infested the GOP. I didn't always agree with Voinovich, just like I'm sure that I won't always agree with Obama on every subject, but I've always respected him.
Well, this might help the unemployable,lazy,uneducated,people in Ohio,if they can vote in another Democrat,along with Obama's give-a-way programs,we can greatly increase the number of entitlement programs,which means the working Republicans can support that many more of you people.Great.
PAT,
Please elaborate on all of the "stolen elections" and how the Democrats stole them. Also include some detailed information to support the claims of how the news media has covered them up. I am interested in learning some republican revisonist history. Sory but I do not have the time to waste on right wing radio to hear them first hand.
Now lets seat Al Franken and get on with the business of the United States.
Suggestion: the presidential term should be ONE six year term. That would keep them from pandering to the electorate to get reelected.
Obama is very shady
Some of the posters here are blindly partisan and don't know what they're talking about. George Voinovich is a moderate Senator who has done a great job for Ohio. He may vote with his party more than not, but he can hardly be called a reliable Republican vote. Those of you who made rude comments against him here are truly unfamiliar with Ohio politics.
see yah, wouldn't wanna be yah
I try to post something meaningful and instead you select all these nasty, inflammatory comments. What exactly is your posting criteria? Apparently it is to inflame any issue on this website.
OOH OOH, Ohio has a Democratic Gov (Strickland), is it too much for me to ask for Voinovich to resign so that I can put some earnest money down for his seat? That is how the demo-rats do it, right?
I am amazed, no frightened by how old so many of our elected officials are. Makes me wonder what happened to my generation. (Myself included.) Where are the 50 to 60 year old Rep. and Senators?
In the next election I expect there will be a lot of 30 and 40 year olds running for office. It's as if we just sat our part in government out. I guess corporate jobs were more lucrative and inviting but we are suffering for it now.
I think it's time for all elected officials over the age of 70 to step down. Hopefully there will be more to come.
The fewer Conservatives in government, the better. Conservative leadership has devoted itself to preventing the nation from solving its problems since the Civil War. They were opposed to the abolition of slavery, anti-lynching laws, anti-segregation laws, equal access to public facilities, unions, the 8 hour day, the 40 hour week, social security, medicare, medicaid, child health programs, pre-natal health programs, equal rights for minorities, equal rights for women, equal pay for minorities, equal pay for women, voting rights for minorities, allowing women to vote, workplace safety regulations, and food purity laws to name a few off the top of my head. In each case, they fought, they delayed, they filibustered, they blocked, they obstructed, and they opposed these reforms.
Conservatism has done more damage to America than any other force, except for the Confederate Army and the Nazi Army.
Gee, golly, what will we do without him? Another Republican rides into the sunset. Now if we could just get 40 more to follow good ole Georgie and Dicky out the door this country could return to its once proud condition and tradition. For 8 years, we have become known as the blaantant lying , hpocritical, and arrogant country led by the far right-wing, war mongering extremists.
Our congress needs term limits and now. I think that a senator should only be allowed no more than 3 terms unless evidence shows that his apporval rating among his constituents has remained above 55% throughouthis career, and that his current approval rating is greater than 60%.
No better time to retire.... the left wing has taken over. Lets let them screw things up, and conservatives will be back in 2010, thank God.
Voinovich needn't feel he needs to serve out another of his lackluster terms.
He should go now.
Anywhere but Ohio.
good to see Obama has gotten us all together. Nice to see true colors.
I would rather retire too than be part of selling out our grandchildren for roads and social hand outs. European style stimulus packages bring european style high unemployment and slow growth..., no matter how much kool-aid you drink with it.
Good...time to go. Only bad part is we will continue to get useless and worthless democrats in power. Have you people not learned? When one party has total control, they do nothing. Watch and learn. For maybe 2 years, the democrats may work hard, then they will be just as useless as when the republicans had total power. Balance of power between parties is a good thing, but I guess some people are to uneducated to understand that.
What does Palestine have to do with it?
Judging by some of the comments here, most of CNN's audience have very little education. Comments such as "Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
" and "How nice to get rid of the republicans and the conservative opinions they profess! " shows child like behavior and a lack of unity that Obama is talking about. No wonder they cannot balance their checkbooks while asking for the consumer bailout (aka. mortgage foreclosure help).
Above all it shows intolerance, something that these people request when they want to be heard. From this display of ignorance, we can only hope that their party will not do the same thing in Congress. But I think I am asking too much.
Sounds like everyone here thinks that a one party system will work well. If Democrats have everything the world will be a great place to live... Really? Ask China and Russia how a one party system works. Republicans have made mistakes which should make them the minority party for a while, but for people here wishing pain and suffering on about 40% of the population who will still vote Republican next year is far from being open minded. I know conservatives hardly ever write opinions here, because they are drowned out by the hundreds of people cheering every Republican death and defeat, but I just wanted to get this point out in the open... Maybe someone will read it.
Senator Voinovich was more on the moderate side than most of his GOP colleagues. He possibly would have been reelected if he opted to run again; but at 72, he made a wise decision I would have made, too. It's time for the oldies to give the younger generation a chance, too. Good call, senator.
your party has ruined america, it's good that you are getting out from among them, enjoy your retirement,a lot of americans won't be able to retire because they don't have a job.
No big loss for the Repubs, Voinovich is a RINO, might as well be a Demorat.
That is a shame.
Another one of the "few" (relatively) moderate voices in the GOP is leaving . . .the party must reach beyond the Sarah Palins and Rush Limbaughs of the world, or it runs further risk of isolation.
One less.
sandee in Portland January 11th, 2009 8:23 pm ET
Good, all these guys that have been in office for eons should retire . . . we wouldn't have a bunch of 65+ year olds using a public service job like a corporate job.
____________________________
Wow! And Obama appoints Leon Panetta, who's 71, and Ted Kennedy is 77, and Joe Biden is 66 - go figure!
I'm not exactly sure how it became the norm where the Senate was meant to be an old folks' home. This man is 72 – how can he be considered suitable to provide competent governing when his viewpoints are from the 1950's?
As a proud former Ohioan, I think its important to note that, not only is Ohio now the most accurate bellweather state in predicting presidential elections (sorry, Missouri, you blew it), but also consider the following:
1) Ohio Republicans have only been able to get ONE state-level candidate elected – State Auditor – since 2004. Democrats hold every other seat, including Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Sec. of State, Treasurer, and the state's jr. US Senator, Sharrod Brown.
2) As of 2008, Democrats now represent a majority of seats in Ohio's Congressional delegation for the first time in decades.
3) Democrats have just taken control of the State House of representatives for the first time in 14 years.
Not only does this trend bode badly for Ohio Republicans (and is likely one reason that George Voinovich decided to retire) but, by virtue of its Ohio's dominant bellweather status, the trend also bodes poorly for Republicans nationwide.
It is impossible for fair-minded guys like Voinovich to find a place in the narrow-mindedness of the Republican party. Right-wingers made his life miserable. Now that they are totally in control, there is really no place for him. Good luck, Senator.
Wow... that's all I can say.
The hate hear is incredible.
We'll let the Dems have their time and then all of you will be screaming "off with their heads!" when the "one" and his pals don't come through.
Anyone who wishes for a single party rule needs to leave the U.S. now.
Go to Venezuela and see how Chavez is running things.
Go to Russia or Iran or even Saudi Arabia and see how you like a single party system.
Once a super majority has power, they can vote in rules and laws to keep themselves in power.
They're call dictatorships.
Have fun.
Good riddance George. Please resign today. The only ones who will miss you are the warmongers in Israel and their cheerleaders around here. You leave a shameful legacy of public disservice.
Good grief. I'd like to know how many of you fools who vent your anger at anyone and everyone have any civic virtue yourself? When was the last time you actually participated in the political process, volunteered, served your community? I am no fan of the Republican Party, but it does no one any good to drop every Republican into the Palin box, or worse the Bush administration box. There are Republicans with integrity, and lots of Democrats who lack it. What if everyone just called themselves Independents. Now, wouldn't that confuse the heck out of all you party poopers.
slowly but surely the Senate needs to purge these old farts. I'm sorry, but at age 72 you should be enjoying the good life in retirement years. Same goes for Dems. Do you here me Ted Kennedy? Time for you to go too, and take some of your buddies with you please!
Hey Jim @ 7:43 PM on 1/11: Shows how much you know. Illinois's election in 2010 is for a whole new term (since Obama's term would've ended in 2010), so it's a normal election, not a special election. The article did get the facts right. Who's a "genius" now?
Great! Thats all this country needs is a democratic super majority. Higher taxes, more illegals, more dead babies, gay marriage, oil being bought from OPEC as opposed to drilling our own. Continuation of poor policy and lack of oversight on banking. Thats on he** of a platform to be able to win an election with. I guess the American public is as dumb as everybody says.
Hey Pat! Steal another election you said?
This is a joke right. You can't be serious after Bush and Florida. If you are serious then please seek professional help, because you are really sick. Hmm must be a supporter of poor little Sarah Palin, another sicko from Ohio...........
ANOTHER....... Republican bailing out! Don't let the door slap you .....
Another Republican bites the dust, soon King Obama can change the laws and be President forever, YES HE CAN.......CHANGE.
Enjoy your short 4 year term, just like Jimmy Carter.
Where is everyones job Obama, you are the man.
Where is our money Obama, send me my check.
More Goverment is the answer, spend all the money and we have no need for a Goverment, great idea.
Republicans are watching.
Time for the mandarins on the Democratic side to step aside. The election of PE Obama signaled a desire for a generaltional change.
The Democratic Senators jockeying for power last week demonstrated that the desire for partisan, gridlock gov't still exists with the people who have "served" for too long.
I bet you 2010 is going to be very different. Don't count on the Democrats picking up the seat. The foolish anti-GOP rhetoric from CNN and other extreme left media outlets will have let up on the hate. Hopefully that election will be run on actual policies and views on not on hate mongering and lies from the extreme left.
Another one bites the dust. But seriously, Vionovich is the 4th Repub Senator to announce not seeking re-election, what's going on? Is it possible that these guys just can't fathom the thought of working with a Dem Pres and a Dem majority? Guess maybe bipartisanship is not their cup of tea.