The influential conservative Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) now has some reason to reconsider his decision this week to retire from the House, Roll Call reports, and it's because of some very intense lobbying by his Republican colleagues. In an extraordinary move, the paper says, over 130 House Republicans signed a letter asking him to stay on.

The most interesting aspect of this is that Shadegg represents a relatively safe Republican district, which voted 58% for President Bush in 2004. So while there isn't too much risk of the GOP losing this seat, they're obviously very concerned about the appearance of so many members dashing to the lifeboats.