GoBlueInNYC

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.]

JimBobTressel

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

GoBlueInNYC

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.

GoBlueInNYC

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.

DonAZ

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.

PB-J Time

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

htownwolverine

November 6th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^

Runyan is not a slimy, smarmy snake like most on both sides (we deal with a certain Mr. Cruz down here) and probably got sick of the posturing required to play the national politics game.

leftrare

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.

 

 

cp4three2

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.