Jon Runyan retiring from Congress
Runyan is retiring from Congress in 2014. Just FYI.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
First
November 6th, 2013 at 10:29 AM ^
[Interior: Congressional office]
[Congressman Runyan picks up morning paper. Reads box score from UM-MSU game.]
[Camera zooms in on "-48"]
[Close-up: Runyan's eyes widen.]
Runyan: "Draft a press release..."
[Smash-cut: Runyan steps off greyhoud with duffle bag tossed over shoulder; walks to door of Schembechler Hall.]
November 6th, 2013 at 10:52 AM ^
(Runyan knocks twice on the front doors of Hoke's office)
(Hoke staring at film lost in thought...unshaven and with tired eyes...hears door knock and goes to answer)
(Hoke opens door and jaw drops; Runyan stands there grinning)
(They embrace like brothers)
Hoke (gruffly) "You sonofabitch".
Cut scene to Hoke and Runyan striding down the halls of Schembechler like
November 6th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
[Runyan strides into room. Hoke approaches. The manliest handshake ever ensues.]
November 6th, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
"Runyan! What's the matter? Congress got you pushing too many pencils?"
November 6th, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^
I think we've really got something cooking here, boys!
November 6th, 2013 at 2:19 PM ^
"YOU SONUVA BITCH!"
November 7th, 2013 at 7:10 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^
Maybe manliest MANBALL can ensue after he gets to A2 and joins the staff.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
Awesome. Love how the creator of that throws out all the teaching mumbo jumbo to ward off the legal dicks. Hilarity all around.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
Any word as to why? Perceived lack of voter support? Frustration with the legislative? Health? Just not wanting to?
I know nothing about how his Congressional terms have gone or about his political career, in general.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^
No details in the brief blurb, one can speculate it would allow him the time to take in his son's college games? Granted, his son won't be playing until 2017 at the earliest probably.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
So was the MSU game. Nefarious plots and everything.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:13 PM ^
I know politics are verboten, but can we make an exception for Canadian politics? I mean, Toronto's mayor forgot about smoking crack because he was in an alcohol induced stupor. That's funny, right?
November 6th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^
No idea why he is retiring. I am a political wonk, and this is definitely a bit of a surprise. He would be favored to keep his seat next year.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:16 AM ^
I feel like it's not uncommon for people to get very frustrated with their experience in Congress, when they realize that it's more about effectively playing the game than having good ideas.
There was a line of psychology research that I read quite a bit of in undergrad and grad school about what makes someone a "successful" (in the sense of achieving goals, not necessarily being popular or doing good) politician. Often being a thoughtful, results oriented person gets frustrating when that person realizes that spending countless hours putting together a balanced, comprehensive budget (for instance) means nothing if you can't "play the game."
EDIT: Just to be clear, I'm definitely not saying that this is Runyan. Just the first thing that came to mind when seeing that a relatively new/young Congressman makes the decision to walk away, somewhat surprisingly.
November 6th, 2013 at 3:25 PM ^
Often being a thoughtful, results oriented person gets frustrating when [ fill in blank with chosen activity] means nothing if you can't "play the game."
That's pretty universal, not just in politics or congress.
There's simply a whole bunch of ass-clown stupidness in this world. Thoughful, results oriented people have a limited capacity to put up it.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:14 AM ^
and Runyan, only in his 2nd Term, is a pretty heavy hitter. Fort Dix in his backyard and a member of the HASC and HVAC, he will be missed in House.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:45 PM ^
I live in South Jersey (just outside his district). He is well respected and could likely win re-election but there are a few factors (that we know of):
-He was frustrated by the "tea-party" efforts to shut down the government as a negotiating tactic. He could be getting frustrated in general by the lack of progress made in Congress (I know that I am...sorry let's not devolve into politics too much)
-He would likely be facing 2 fights for re-election. Although he could likely win both, he may not want the primary fight from a tea-party/not-so-moderate-republican in a primary and then a democrat in the general election. As others have correctly noted, he is more of a moderate republican & may not want to have to deal with fights on both sides.
-Then there is the fact that he made plenty of $$$ with the Eagles and maybe he just genuinely wants more family time...or some othere personal aspect that the public doesn't know.
Suprising...but there are potential reasons
November 6th, 2013 at 3:48 PM ^
No, you are correct, to win another term he will likely have a primary challenge fromt he right, and then have a grueling re-election fight in what is a purple district. It is very sad as he was a reasonable, moderate and -distinctly bi-partisan figure and we could use more of that.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:22 AM ^
I bet he is running for president.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^
If he does want to run for President, getting out of Congress is an excellent start. Amazingly, this is not a joke.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:34 AM ^
I wash myself with a raaaaaaaaag on a stick
November 6th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
Better if read by your avatar.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:18 PM ^
also played the guy in 8 Mile who was dating B. Rabbit's mom.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:00 PM ^
Our prez is gonna kick your a**! Steel cage grudge match style.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:23 AM ^
Maybe he should replace Funk?
November 6th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^
come help coach the o-line at Michigan!!!!
November 6th, 2013 at 10:34 AM ^
please come play guard at Michigan!!!
November 6th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
+1 for wishful thinking
November 6th, 2013 at 12:20 PM ^
Not out of the question!
/s
November 6th, 2013 at 10:36 AM ^
to do some good in Ann Arbor?
November 6th, 2013 at 10:40 AM ^
sorry double post
November 6th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
I know he had been opposed to the shutdown last month. Maybe he didn't want a primary battle with a Tea Partier?
November 6th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
Yes I for one would welcome our new special O-Liine assistant.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 12:05 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^
Here's the Washington Post post on his retirement: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/11/06/rep-jon-runyan-wont-seek-reelection/
November 6th, 2013 at 11:39 AM ^
On one hand, he's of the dying breed in the house -- a Moderate Republican. On the other, he's just the type to win a centrist district. If I had to guess, I would say he's sick of raising money and is reading the writing on the wall that says he's going to be primaried by a tea party guy.
November 6th, 2013 at 11:50 AM ^
This post is starting to slide down the slope of politics...
November 6th, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
As always.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^
He'll probably run for governor, Lt governor, or, he's tired of Congress. I work there, the flying back and forth wears on them.
He could also have something to do with the Christie campaign, which is going to begin soon.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:25 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 12:34 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 12:41 PM ^
looks like those clowns in Congress did it again. What a bunch of clowns.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^
Maybe he wants the Governor's chair. The Fat Man (and I say that affectionately because I kind of like Christie's style) will probably be running for President in '16.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^
That would only create an opening if Christie were to win, meaning there won't be a vacancy there for another 4 years.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:45 PM ^