Wisconsin Gov. Won't Run for Re-Election

(AP)  Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday that he will not seek re-election next year and does not want to be considered for any positions within President Barack Obama's administration at this time.

Doyle's decision not to seek a third term greatly improves the Republican party's chances of winning the governor's office in Wisconsin, traditionally a Democratic-leaning state that Obama won in 2008.

Flanked by family, members of his cabinet, political supporters and old friends at the elementary school he attended as a child, Doyle said he intends to serve the remaining 16 months of his term and is not interested in any Obama administration positions during that time.

Obama, as well as two former governors and current members of his administration — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius — were quick to praise Doyle.

"His tough and fair leadership enabled him to work across the aisle to strengthen education and spur economic recovery," Obama said in a statement.

Doyle said he is focused on getting more done in his final months in office and not what he will do once he leaves. "I'm not even thinking about it," he said of his plans.

His friend and University of Wisconsin Regent David Walsh said he expected Doyle to work as a consultant on energy and education issues.

Doyle said his intention always was to serve just two terms and he wanted to announce his plans to give other Democrats enough time to build campaigns. His departure sets up the first open governor's race in Wisconsin since 1982.

"With him out, it actually allows national forces to come play a bigger role," said University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor Charles Franklin.

Doyle was the first Democrat re-elected as governor in 32 years. His departure creates a scramble for Democrats who would never dared challenge the incumbent and Republicans who weren't otherwise considering a run.

Some of the more prominent potential Democratic candidates include U.S. Rep. Ron Kind of La Crosse, who said Monday he was considering a run, and Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, whose aide said she was running. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was recovering from getting beaten by a metal pipe over the weekend, has been mentioned as a candidate but has not commented on it.

Republicans already running are Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann. Other Republicans who now may decide to jump in include Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and former Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Doyle did not immediately endorse a candidate.

"It's time for them to go out and make their case," he said.

[drsuz]

Oh-Oh now that I read more, looks like some more of the losers are going to try and take his place.

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson--Sorry Tommy,..WE DON'T LIKE YOU and I personally wish they could rename the State Park they named after you back to its original name.

As for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, just because you acted in bravery, and took your office by 80% of the Milwaukeean vote does not mean 80% of the rest of the State want you either. But I guess if out of all of them listed above, you 'may be' the best candidate.

[drsuz]

YEAHHHHHHH!!!! WHOO HOO!!!!!! YIPEEEE!!!!!

Truth is, Doyle has lost his appeal to us Wisconsinites by his spend-spend-spend and tax-tax-tax policies (gee, sounds like Obama) Wisconsin is one of the highest taxed states in the US and there is nothing here. Heck, even the cows are moving to California.

We have been calling for his resignation for along time and the dummy thinks that means we want him..NOT!!!!

I mean, Doyle recently this year goes to Spain (thats right Spain) and orders not one but two new super-speed trains, yet we our state budget is in deep do-do and he had to cut out programs in this years budget.

Now all we have to do is get rid of Senator Kohl and we got it made!!

[TheMasses2016]

Maybe he's opening the door for Favre?

[stn_sage]

Great! I'm in favor of any incumbent that either is NOT doing the job well or is TIRED of the job, to get out!

NONE of these politicians are irreplacable! In fact, I'd argue the opposite position: that MOST of the current federal and state politicians could be replaced with little or no disruptions in the system(s)!

Which, is a result of how very little they accomplish! They should be paying the public versus the public paying them for how little they DO!

[TheMasses2016]

Wisconsin Gov. Won't Run for Re-Election
----------------------
Why?

He lost his taste for cheese?

[the_majesty]

Gov. Jim Boyle is resigning because he does not approve of the way that Obama and Obama type democrats are running the country. He does not want to be part of it. I look for Hillary Clinton to resign soon.

[TheMasses2016]

So he lost his taste for bad cheese then.