Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Cash-Poor Bunning Won't Run in 2010

Ky. Republican blasts party for campaign 'to dry up my fundraising'

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 28, 2009 6:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – An irate Jim Bunning said last night he won't run for a third term in the US Senate because his fellow Republicans "have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising" amid pressure to step aside, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. Bunning, 77, has focused his ire on fellow Kentuckian Mitch McConnell, who issued a conciliatory statement befitting the apparent winner of a long-running feud.

"Jim has enjoyed two Hall-of-Fame-worthy careers, and I am honored to have worked by his side in the Senate," the Senate minority leader said of the former baseball star. "His steadfast focus on serving the people of the commonwealth has been as unwavering as his conservative ideals." The move instantly improves the GOP's chances of retaining the seat; the way is now clear for Republican secretary of state Trey Grayson, 37, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Sen. Jim Bunning meets with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill last month.
Sen. Jim Bunning meets with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill last month.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)
Sen. Jim Bunning addresses Fed chairman Ben Bernanke during a Senate Banking Committee hearing earlier this month on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Jim Bunning addresses Fed chairman Ben Bernanke during a Senate Banking Committee hearing earlier this month on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Jim Bunning, with his wife, Mary, gestures to supporters in Hebron, Ky., after his victory over Democrat Daniel Mongiardo in 2004.
Sen. Jim Bunning, with his wife, Mary, gestures to supporters in Hebron, Ky., after his victory over Democrat Daniel Mongiardo in 2004.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
Ucantusethatname
Aug 23, 2009 12:29 PM CDT
Good luck, Rand Paul. Don't let the BS you'll hear from Dems get you down.
DontLikeYou___
Aug 22, 2009 11:06 AM CDT
Rand Paul will win this seat. He is a conservative republican. I realize the GOP prefers liberals these days, but the liberalism in the GOP will be stamped out one by one during election time.
cornelison
Jul 28, 2009 12:31 PM CDT
The Republicans eat their own. Bunning should vote with the Democrats until he leaves office. Bunning has nothing to lose & the Dems would love to have his vote - especially when it comes to health care!!

More Newser Stories

Resolute GOP Stands by Ryan's Medicare Overhaul

Meg Whitman vs. Carly Fiorina: Catfight!

Nevada Senate Candidate to GOP: I'm No Nut

Public Anger Boosted Rand Paul to Victory

Jim Bunning Blocks More Obama Nominees


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne