OH-16: “Tired of Theatrics” and “Legislation by Exhaustion”, Regula Fuels Retirement Rumors

Speaking to WKSU Radio, Republican Rep. Ralph Regula offered a self-portrait roughly in line with the common perception of the 18-term House veteran: a man discontent with being in the minority for the remainder of his career, tired of the House GOP's stalling tactics, and alarmed by the surging Democratic trend of his home state as of late:

“My chance to be chairman has probably past me by because we are in the minority and I don't think we are going to be in the majority in the foreseeable future,” he told WKSU.

“It's more fun to be in the majority, because when you're in the majority you're in charge and you can make decisions. You know, given a choice I'd prefer the majority.” […]

The massive electoral losses the GOP suffered in Ohio last year could also lead Regula to call it a career.

Ohio is “moving towards more of a blue state, and it's probably going to be reflected in the legislative races in the future,” Regula told the station. “Look, the Republicans had all the state offices. Now we only have one.”

Regula concluded that 2008 could be as bad for the GOP as 2006 was.

It will be “a challenging year, particularly if we don't have some degree of success in Iraq.”

On top of Regula's lackluster second quarter, where he was outraised by both his Democratic challenger John Boccieri and his potential Republican successor, Regula's wistful reflections are perhaps the strongest indicator yet that he'll hang up the saddle in 2008.

(H/T: As Ohio Goes)