Comments on: Sources: Voinovich to retire from Senate

By: Sherrol in Canada

Sherrol in Canada — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:05:27 +0000

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.

By: Carlos from Cypress

Carlos from Cypress — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:57:42 +0000

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.

By: 9 more days!

9 more days! — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:55:59 +0000

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.

By: JohnBoy

JohnBoy — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:50:02 +0000

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.

By: Mari

Mari — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:45:35 +0000

ANOTHER....... Republican bailing out! Don't let the door slap you .....

By: grahame

grahame — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:44:51 +0000

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...........

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:44:23 +0000

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.

By: A guy who pays attention

A guy who pays attention — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:43:41 +0000

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?

By: art

art — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:41:28 +0000

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!

By: Bev

Bev — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:40:26 +0000

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.

By: Spirit of America

Spirit of America — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:40:07 +0000

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.

By: RJ, Phoenix

RJ, Phoenix — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:39:31 +0000

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.

By: Luke Brown

Luke Brown — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:37:07 +0000

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.

By: John, Brooklyn, New York

John, Brooklyn, New York — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:36:21 +0000

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.

By: CanIcallyouJoe

CanIcallyouJoe — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:29:53 +0000

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?

By: Pat J

Pat J — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:29:46 +0000

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!

By: therealmarie

therealmarie — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:23:41 +0000

One less.

By: Steve, New York City

Steve, New York City — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:21:16 +0000

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.

By: Libertarian

Libertarian — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:20:04 +0000

No big loss for the Repubs, Voinovich is a RINO, might as well be a Demorat.

By: ga.

ga. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:19:23 +0000

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.

By: CHANGE.COM

CHANGE.COM — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:16:54 +0000

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.

By: stephen

stephen — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:15:50 +0000

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.

By: Buzz

Buzz — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:12:43 +0000

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.

By: Hamas

Hamas — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:11:06 +0000

What does Palestine have to do with it?

By: VoterinOhio

VoterinOhio — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:04:14 +0000

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.

By: RealityKing

RealityKing — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:03:24 +0000

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.

By: Brad Oberg USNR

Brad Oberg USNR — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:01:23 +0000

good to see Obama has gotten us all together. Nice to see true colors.

By: John Kellermeyer

John Kellermeyer — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:59:42 +0000

Voinovich needn't feel he needs to serve out another of his lackluster terms.

He should go now.

Anywhere but Ohio.

By: Kevin in Ohio

Kevin in Ohio — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:58:26 +0000

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.

By: Jonathan Burton

Jonathan Burton — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:57:58 +0000

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%.

By: Da Professor

Da Professor — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:57:46 +0000

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.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:56:57 +0000

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.

By: MAD

MAD — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:56:08 +0000

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.

By: commie mommie

commie mommie — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:54:44 +0000

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?

By: bob

bob — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:48:14 +0000

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.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:47:53 +0000

see yah, wouldn't wanna be yah

By: Scott from Ohio

Scott from Ohio — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:47:22 +0000

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.

By: Randall from FL

Randall from FL — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:46:32 +0000

Obama is very shady

By: Kathy S. Cloughn

Kathy S. Cloughn — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:44:00 +0000

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.

By: RinFL

RinFL — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:42:37 +0000

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.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:40:30 +0000

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.

By: Tired of W, but not much longer...

Tired of W, but not much longer... — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:34:56 +0000

@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.

By: Ommy

Ommy — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:33:21 +0000

Watch the rats abandon the Republican ship.

By: john

john — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:30:51 +0000

get all the relics out by 2012

By: Karen-Phoenix

Karen-Phoenix — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:24:39 +0000

Pray for Obama and his team! They have such a mess to clean up after these guys leave!!!

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:51:45 +0000

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.

By: bill for barack

bill for barack — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:44:35 +0000

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.

By: Sensitive90sguy

Sensitive90sguy — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:36:22 +0000

He should have resigned after the first time he burst into tears- what a legacy.

By: Brendan H., San Antonio, TX

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:34:43 +0000

Another victim of Bush – he has to quit because he'd get stomped in the election!

By: Mike Payton - New Boston, Ohio

Mike Payton - New Boston, Ohio — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:32:30 +0000

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.