# Another Senator Retires **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 28, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368 "2019-08-28T17:05:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/1 "2019-08-28T17:05:10Z")
Johnny Isaakson’s out, looks like for real health reasons. And I can’t blame him. > **[Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson to resign at end of year | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/28/politics/johnny-isakson-retire/index.html)** > > Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson announced on Wednesday that he will resign at the end of the year, citing health concerns. Still, that’s four R senators leaving - mostly non-vulnerable - and a slew of members of the house. 11 so far according to [ballotpedia.com](http://ballotpedia.com). [List of U.S. Congress incumbents who did not run for re-election in 2020 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_U.S._Congress_incumbents_who_are_not_running_for_re-election_in_2020). Senate R - 4 D - 1 House R - 11 D - 3 I dunno, it just seems early to get these sorts of retirements. Are they predicting another wave election? The lean on it, while it could just be random, seems to be indicating the sort of pattern that comes when elected officials anticipate a rough road to hoe come next E-Day. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/2 "2019-08-28T17:54:13Z")
I haven’t heard any experts “predicting another wave election” so far, but it’s certainly a positive sign for the D’s and a negative one for the R’s. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/3 "2019-08-28T19:13:06Z")
Yeah, I’d be surprised - based on history - if there were another wave election this soon. But it’s an indicator that something unusual is going on. If the trend continues we should see about 10 more House members retiring before their primary filing deadlines. It’s something to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/4 "2019-08-28T19:39:05Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Yeah, I’d be surprised - based on history - if there were another wave election this soon. I don’t feel historical precedents are applicable to our current political situation. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/5 "2019-08-28T19:43:56Z")
I have no idea what will happen. I have hopes, but no expectations. And I think any prediction, even a prediction of what would be a surprise, is meaningless, until Nate Silver’s 2020 model comes out. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/6 "2019-08-28T19:54:18Z")
This looks like Stacey Abrams’ big opening. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/7 "2019-08-28T19:59:24Z")
[She says she’s not changing her focus.](https://twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/1166732743562137603) ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/8 "2019-08-28T21:02:23Z")
Abrams was saying recently she would be honoured to be on the democratic ticket. I can see her holding out to be Biden’s VP. If an old white male is at the top the party probably will feel obliged to add a new trailblazer - the first female VP. Also I think cynically quite a few would like to be his VP with the possibility of being #47. Just taking into account his age. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/9 "2019-08-28T21:58:30Z")
Republicans retiring could mean that they’re afraid that Democrats will win, or it could mean that they’re afraid that they _won’t_. These might be folks who aren’t too fond of Trump, but had to pretend to like him or be crucified by their own party. Maybe they’re tired of pretending, or don’t want their legacies tied to his. Or maybe it’s just a matter of age-- Republicans tend to be older than Democrats, don’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/10 "2019-08-28T22:13:23Z")
It’s not really that early in the election season. All but the most secure incumbents have to go out and raise funds for their primary elections. State party leaders are asking (politely, at this point) what their intentions are, so they can line up potential replacements, etc. The big question won’t be answered for six months or so. Namely, how Trumpy will the Republican candidates to replace these people be? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/11 "2019-08-29T14:53:34Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > [She says she’s not changing her focus.](https://twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/1166732743562137603) Today. The pressure is going to intensify, though. Damn - Parkinson’s is no way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/12 "2019-08-29T15:17:24Z")
Yeah, I usually view congressional retirements with a jaded eye. But this appears to be a real health issue. Good luck to him. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/13 "2019-08-29T18:34:54Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Today. The pressure is going to intensify, though. When I read about the retirement my first thought was this would be great opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat if Abrams were to run, so I think you are correct there will be increased pressure for here to run. If Abrams doesn’t run, is there any other GA Democrat who would have as good a chance to win this race? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/14 "2019-08-29T19:57:02Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > … If Abrams doesn’t run, is there any other GA Democrat who would have as good a chance to win this race? There was [a whole slew of dem candidates for statewide office](https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/91639/Web02-state.221451/#/) that narrowly lost alongside Abrams: Amico, Barrow, Bailey, etc. I suspect any of them would be a better candidate after Abrams’ embarrassing post-loss “I won” shenanigans. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/15 "2019-08-29T20:09:16Z")
You’re a Trump supporter, you don’t get to use the word embarrassing anymore. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/16 "2019-08-29T20:24:34Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > You’re a Trump supporter, you don’t get to use the word embarrassing anymore. LOL. I can and will every time I feel so inclined. Embarrassing, childish, infantile, stupid, shameful, degrading; take your pick. Abrams is a failed candidate who would only compound her failure by running again. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/17 "2019-08-29T20:27:13Z")
Every one of those words applies to Trump 1000% more. Take the plank out of your own eye before trying to point out a speck in someone else’s. If I were you _I’d_ be embarrassed to be so out of touch with reality. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/18 "2019-08-29T20:30:12Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Every one of those words applies to Trump 1000% more. Take the plank out of your own eye before trying to point out a speck in someone else’s. If I were you _I’d_ be embarrassed to be so out of touch with reality. For starters, “failed candidate” doesn’t apply to _President_ Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/19 "2019-08-29T20:32:15Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > For starters, “failed candidate” doesn’t apply to _President_ Trump. Is “Failed President” that much better for you? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368/20 "2019-08-29T20:34:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Is “Failed President” that much better for you? Obama once said (to President Trump, ironically): “[at least I will go down as a president](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FkIJEmOyoA)” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-senator-retires/839368.md?page=2)