That’s a big, whopping, surprise retirement:
“So, over this holiday season, I have come to the conclusion, with the support of my family, that I will not be seeking another term in the U.S. Senate in 2010. It is a hard decision to make after thirty years in the Congress, but I believe it is the right time for me to pursue these other interests.
“Let me be clear that this decision does not relate to any dissatisfaction that I have about serving in the Senate. Yes, I wish there was less rancor and more bipartisanship in the U.S. Senate these days. But still, it is a great privilege to serve and I have the utmost respect for all of the men and women with whom I serve.
Republican Gov. John Hoeven had been pondering a run against Dorgan, and some are suggesting this announcement may have come because Dorgan has inside information about Hoeven’s plans.
Jim Geraghty on Hoeven’s chances:
A Republican watching the potential match-up closely tells me that while all the polling data is obviously supremely encouraging — especially this one that shows a whopping 64 percent of North Dakotans opposed to the health care bill Dorgan just voted to move forward.
