Kind of odd. Why go to the effort of trying to win in a mashed up seat against another incumbent, only to retire after only one term? I guess circumstances just changed since last cycle. Maybe him not running for the Senate was because he couldn't be bothered, not strategic considerations as some have speculated.
Maybe the guy just had enough of trying to coexist in the same caucus with the Bachmanns, the Stockmans, the Steve Kings and the other crazies.
That's really the only explanation that makes sense. Either that or impending scandal. Or perhaps he wanted to retire in 2012 and Boehner asked him not to.
