(Sen. Lamar) Alexander (R-TN) Will Step Down From Senate Leadership

[Ian David]

Source: Roll Call

Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander has informed his colleagues that he is dropping his Whip bid and will step down from leadership in January.

In a letter sent to Republican Senators this morning, the Tennessean and close confidant of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) explained that he could have more of an impact on the issues he cares about outside of leadership. Alexander, 71, said in the letter that he plans to run for re-election in 2014. Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Thune is likely to announce today that he will seek Alexander’s current position in the next Congress, a source close to the South Dakotan said.

“Next January, following our annual retreat, I will step down as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. At that time, I will have completed four years or the equivalent of two two-year terms,” Alexander wrote in the letter. “Stepping down from leadership will liberate me to spend more time working for results on the issues I care most about. I want to do more to make the Senate a more effective institution so that it can deal better with serious issues.”

Alexander, the No. 3 Republican in leadership, was headed toward a battle for the Whip spot against National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas). Both announced their plans to seek the post within hours of Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl’s (Ariz.) February announcement that he would not seek re-election in 2012. As recently as Thursday of last week, in an interview with Roll Call, Alexander gave no indication that he was reconsidering his Whip campaign.

Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/alexander_will_step_down_from_senate_leadership-208861-1.html?pos=hftxt

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[WI_DEM]

1. Wow! I never even knew he was in the Senate Leadership!

[WhiteTara]

2. Me either. n/t

[monmouth]

3. Me neither. He really made an impact, eh?.....LOL..n/t

[SharonAnn]

4. That might be because his heart isn't really in the R-w extremist agenda?

[TonyPDX]

6. This RepubliCON P.O.S. is just taking his lobbying job FULL TIME

Alexander, if you've watched him over the years, has resided solely in corporate pockets. He's trying to capitalize on his fading brand before the teabaggers primary him. Good riddance.

[Phlem]

7. Exactly!

Remember folks, Republican does not equal altruism.

-p

[Mass]

5. He was whip?

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. No he was running for Whip

[Mass]

12. Thanks. Anyway, I never realized he was part of the leadership.

[dmosh42]

8. Just another Repuke moron!..Like it makes a difference?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. Why not go the whole way and get the fuck out of the senate, period?! nt

[librechik]

11. HOORAH!!!

what a fucking douche. GOODBYE you prurient monster--

wait--oh I thought he was leaving entirely. Well poof.