Arizona Congressman Renzi to Retire

AP via SFGate ^ | 8/23/7 | CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Three-term Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican facing a federal inquiry into his family's insurance business, said Thursday he will not seek re-election next year.

Renzi becomes the fifth GOP House member in the past month to announce retirement plans, giving Democrats hopes of possibly picking up seats next year that otherwise would not be in play. However, leaders of both parties viewed Renzi as seriously damaged politically by the allegations against him, and several Republicans had let it be known they hoped he would step down.

"I will not be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008," Renzi said in a brief statement released by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Renzi, 49, gave up his House Intelligence Committee seat in April after FBI agents raided a Sonoita, Ariz., business owned by his wife, Roberta. Law enforcement officials confirmed in October that they were scrutinizing a land swap that netted Renzi's former business partner, friend and campaign donor $4.5 million.

[acapesket]

terrific. I guess it’s better to get them out now than have another Foley phoney scandal. Not that Foley’s not a pig but the Schuster’s from Boston had been working on that planned “outing” for a year.

[Checkers]

One door closes, another door opens...

[devolve]

.

I’m thinking it mnight be beneficial if one in each party might have a serious misfortune befall them

It’s obvious that these creeps in Congress at all levels from Renzi to Kennedy figure they are untouchable

But Duke Cunningham goes to the big house while William Jefferson stays in Congress and liberal judges knock out evidence of his criminality

All while Republican President George W Bush is in office and actually while there was a Republican majority in both the Senate and the House

Congress and the White House seems to be the places to go if you want to skirt or ignore or break the law for fun & profit

[AuntB]

Well at least Renzi took good care of LaRaza before he quit.
The sooner these crooks are out the better.

“So in case you haven’t heard, a bill being cosponsored by Rick Renzi to help lower-income people of Hispanic origin would provide $10 million a year to La Raza.

Conservatives are reportedly livid. A Washington Times editorial: “So giving immigrants the same free medical care, education, food, housing and income support available to all low-income groups is not enough. Now we have to single them out for special treatment, empowering a radical organization in the process. “

http://www.azcongresswatch.com/?p=3198

[dangus]

Renzi, just don’t let the door hit ya on the way out, Loser

[bilhosty]

At least he had the decency to "retire" and not drag down the ticket like Ney and Sherwood and the bastards did last year. Are you listening Doolittle?

[dixiechick2000]

Good post, devolve.

Those folks in DC are reminding me more and more of Chirac.
It will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens to him.