Lieberman: I'll Back Republicans in 2010

(NEWSER) - Alec Baldwin has no plans to challenge Joe Lieberman for his Senate seat in 2012, USA Today reports. The actor’s spokesman says he wants the Connecticut independent to retain his position because of the paucity of moderate Republicans in the Senate. In a recent Playboy interview, Baldwin floated many electoral dream jobs, from governor of Ohio to a position in New Jersey, but “it's all fantasy,” he said. “I'm a carry-me-out-in-a-box New Yorker.” More»

John McCain hopes he becomes defense secretary

(NEWSER) - Joe Lieberman today confirmed what everybody knew: He's not running for Senate re-election in 2012. Some quotes from the Connecticut independent's news conference, as collected by the Washington Post :

• "Along the way, I have not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes—maybe you've noticed that—Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative. I have always thought that my first responsibility is not to serve a political party but to serve my constituents, my state, and my country, and then to work across party lines to make sure good things get done for them."
• "The politics of President Kennedy—patriotic service to country, support of civil rights and social justice, pro-growth economic and tax policies, and a strong national defense—are still my politics. So maybe that means that JFK wouldn't fit into any of today's partisan political boxes neatly."

North Dakota Senator the most devastating departure

(NEWSER) - Democrats are feeling sick to their stomachs today in the wake of the stunning announcements that Chris Dodd, Byron Dorgan, and Bill Ritter would all abandon their reelection bids. Dorgan is the real loss here, Politico reports; Republicans stand a strong chance of picking up the North Dakota senator’s seat, which had until now seemed relatively safe. More»

Connecticut Dem second senator to eschew re-election bid in 24 hours

(NEWSER) - Embattled Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd plans to announce today that he will not seek re-election this year, ending a 30-year Senate career, according to Democratic sources. Dodd joins Sen. Byron Dorgan who announced his exit less than 24 hours ago, and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, expected to do the same today. Dodd has been trailing in the polls, and his resignation is expected to give the Democrats a better chance of keeping the seat, the Washington Post reports. More»

Comment may be dig at Minn. freshman, who shut down Lieberman

(NEWSER) - Chris Dodd battled a perceived lack of decorum in the Senate yesterday with some stern language from the floor. The Connecticut Democrat did not name names but rather cryptically chastised the Senate’s “newer members” for failing “to understand how the Senate has worked for more than two centuries” during the course of the health care debate. Most “newer members” are Democrats. More»