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Report: Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ) To Retire

By Eric Kleefeld - February 11, 2008, 5:50PM

In a sign of further discontent among House Republicans, Roll Call is reporting that Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) will be announcing his retirement.

Shadegg ran for House Majority Leader in early 2006 and then for Minority Whip later that year, after the Republicans lost control of Congress. The abrupt departure of such a vocal and ambitious conservative, absent any compelling personal reason, won't exactly be a cause for optimism among party activists.

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RIP repubs.

Posted by TheraP
February 11, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink

The Republicans are going to have to decide where best to spend their money. They will have several seats in the Senate vacated plus at least 30 seats in the house by fall. McCain will poll close enough to soak up a lot of the Republican dollars.

Posted by fsisneros
February 11, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink

Another one bites the dust.

So has anyone donated to the DNC yet, so that our coffers are full for these congressional fights? They're coming up soon...

Posted by Steven T Van Haren
February 11, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink

Repugs see the tidal wave a'comin'

Just look at the Dem vs Repug turnout numbers in the primaries and caucuses.

It's been apparent to me for a decades that natural Dems greatly outnumber natural Repugs but so many Dems I call "natural" feel so disenfranchised that the numbers at polls ended up being relatively even. Not any more...

One day the Repug party as we know it now will be an anachronism, like the Confederate flag in the US or the National Party in South Africa. Demographics and democracy will demand it.

Posted by twirling fartknocker
February 11, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink

The older Repubs know that it is easer to retire then to lose the majority for the next 8+ years.

Posted by 31tudor
February 11, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink

I used to live in his district and still have many friends there - he will not be missed. Even the hard core conservatives have grown tired of him here. One of his big downfall issues; the attempt to subvert Social Security. I was at one of the (in)famous "town hall" meetings and he was caught off guard and unprepared for the backlash against the whole thing. He was even soundly booed at one point when he tried to say "the blame lies with those who started this program and didn't see this coming." I remember one senior getting up and saying something along the lines of 'I understand that you are a New Deal de-constructionist - I just cant stomach that you are dishonest about it.' The whole room erupted in applause.

Good riddance to the conservative agenda.

Go Bob Lord: http://lord2008.com/

Posted by shazam
February 12, 2008 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink

From:http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0211shadegg-race0211-ON.html

Gannett News Service
Feb. 11, 2008 06:41 PM

Only three weeks ago, Shadegg was accused of using his political action committee to skirt campaign finance laws limiting the amount donors can give a candidate.
Shadegg, who denied any wrongdoing, initially said he would not return the money. But on the same day the Arizona Democratic Party filed a formal complaint with federal election regulators, Shadegg announced that he was refunding $10,000 to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

At issue was money transferred from Shadegg's political action committee into his election campaign.

Normally, such a transfer would not be noticed among thousands of dollars in contributions; but in the same reporting period, Shadegg's PAC received no other contributions and paid out only the $10,000.

At the time, Shadegg said he was confident the Federal Election Commission would find that no laws had been broken. He said neither he nor the donors knew the money would wind up going into his re-election campaign.

If only he were my Rep. But maybe Trent Franks will do the same! *g*

Posted by Anonymous
February 12, 2008 12:47 AM | Reply | Permalink