Hutchison explains decision to remain in Senate
Washington (CNN) – Despite making a pledge to resign, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison announced Wednesday that she will not retire before her term expires in 2012.
"This has been a hard decision. I really did intend to leave," the Texas Republican told reporters in San Antonio.
Citing the recent passage of health care reform, a possible change in energy policy and the federal government's "massive debt," Hutchison said there were plenty of reasons to remain in Washington.
"There has been an intense concern - throughout Texas and our country, but certainly I have heard it all over Texas - about the direction of our federal government," said Hutchison. "It has caused me to look at my resignation in a different way."
Hutchison promised to vacate her Senate seat during a bitter intra-party fight for Texas governor against incumbent Rick Perry, who defeated Hutchison earlier this month.
Flanking Hutchison at the announcement were Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and fellow Texas Sen. John Cornyn, both of whom had been urging her to stay in office.
"If you sense an audible sigh of relief in the air, it's every single Republican in the U.S. Senate conference who greatly values Kay Hutchison's leadership, intelligence and effectiveness," said McConnell.
Perry, Hutchison's onetime rival, said in a statement that he is "pleased" by Hutchison's decision to remain in Washington, where she can best work to reform the new health care law.
Hutchison was first elected to the Senate in 1993, winning re-elections in 1994, 2000 and 2006.
–CNN's Mark Preston contributed to this report
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We now have the Flip-Flop Party, the Grand Ostructionist Party, the republiCANTS Party, and the Baggers-Birthers & Bigots Party all rolled into one! Oh- And who could forget Family Values Party after a night at an S&M Strip club? These people are pathetic!
She enjoys making 174,000 dollars off the American Taxpayers just for simply saying NO. The Democrats are working their tails off to overcome the failed policies of the Bush Administration. Republicans work for the rich while the Democrats work for the common man: YOUR CHOICE
Since her election in 1993, Hutchison voted for $7 trillion in deficit spending. Of course, so did most other Republicans, especially during the Bush Jr presidency, when she voted for $5.5 trillion in deficit spending.
What a flat out bunch of bunk. But what can you expect? More lies, lies, lies....
There is always room for one more white, lying, hypocritical obstructionist in the Republican Party.
Did you hear that even though Republicans are screaming to repeal the new healthcare law, Senator Cornyn from TX now wants Republicans to TAKE CREDIT for the best parts of the healthcare bill??? How stupid do Republicans think we are? If they are now so proud of their total non-participation in everything this Congress, then why didn't one single Republican vote for the healthcare bill Cornyn wants to take credit for?
They have also tried to take credit for the successful stimulus projects in their states when they screamed and lied and all voted against the release of the stimulus money to the states.
Republicans care NOTHING about the People. It's all about power and money and taking care of big business, banks, and the insurance companies who abuse you and I and pay the Republicans big money to buy their votes and work AGAINST us.
Republicans are LIARS, RACISTS, HATE-MONGERS, FEAR SPREADERS, AND VIOLENCE INCITERS. All these death threats against Democrats, vandalism at their offices, hate phone calls, and now the arrest of Republican-aligned milita who were planning attacks on the American People show Republicans are dangerous traitors to America that need to be removed from office. It's time for all of us to stand up and vote NO to this type of behavior, rhetoric, dirty politics, hate, and un-American values.
It's time to end the Republican reign of terrorism in our country.
yeah right. She needs to stay so she can follow party direction and say no to al and anything. They could have appointed any stupe to do that. Kay!
The GOP convinced her to stay. They donot want to lose a NO vote on everything that the Prersident is trying to do to help all Americans.
Speaking of governmernt. why is it that these elected officials get to keep there office so long. i believe there should be a 2 term limit. like the president. alot of the politicians dont believe in change. we see the 2 political parties ighting every day like 5th graders. thats embarrasing to me as an american. how can you respect these people. they are terrorist themselves in fancy suites hold back our country. i say we vote all them out and start anew. they give no room for new ideas cause these old politicians are stuck in there ways. can we get a whole new house and senate? that would be a real win win! REP. FROM NC!
Kay, just admit it. You are just a career politician. This has nothing to do with "whats best for Texas" or even the Republican party. Its all about you. Although I can't see why you want to be in the Senate since I cannot recall one significant piece of legislation you have drafted during your 100 yrs there.
The morons that inhabit the state of TX, and who support this ongoing wishy-washy rightwing backtracking and deflection, continue to amaze me. Something in the water down there seems to be doing some serious genetic damage..... I'd sell TX back to Mexico for $2, and think I duped the Mexicans.
Not sure if I understand the circumstances. She promised to resign regardless of the outcome of the gubernatorial election? Wouldn't it make more sense to resign only if she won it? And in that case, she wouldn't need to explain her staying in the Senate?
Spare me you're staying because you got whopped by Perry. Where was you concern for the DEBT from 2001 – 2008. Hypocrite.
i.e I will resign if you promise to vote me in as govenor, otherwise I have the right to change my mind.
I was only kiddin'... (and a few loyal lobbyists talked me into it)...
She stayed in the US Senate to "defeat Health Care Reform" eventhough there are more than 4 MILLION Texans without health care insurance including 1 MILLION Children. She and the other elected republicans in the state and country are pathetic. Luckily, she lost that battle has almost no influence and so can do little harm staying in the Senate.
Liar,Liar pants suit on fire it should be law if your run for another political office you should have to resign to do so.
Blah, blah, blah, blather, blather blather, just another lying con.
This just shows the Republicans don't think they could win her seat if it was to go to an election prior to 2012.
I can't wait to hear the chorus of "flip flop!" that Republicans like so much.
Please save the tax payers a ton of money and resign from office now!
This Senate needs to work and with 41 "NO" votes well we all no the GOP are not going to help President Obama complete one dam thing!
She's not helpful.
a paycheck being one of the most important reasons to stay.
I reside in Texas and know first hand the problems conservatives have created in Texas.
Read a textbook, that shoudl teach you enough about Texas and the lack of viable leadership we experience on a daily basis.
Hutchinson vowed to leave the senate to "run" for governor. When she polled with lower numbers than expected, when she knew she could not win, her story changed. She has not been good for Texas, but what can you expect with people like her in power?
No ethics whatsoever!!!
So much for being "true" to your word.
Well of course she does, she doesn't have a job the ditz, she actually thought she was going to be Govenor and not need the Senate typical Repugliban thinking she is 'entitled'.
Good choice, Kay is a great senator. She should keep doing it.