Cornyn urges Hutchison not to resign

The Hill:

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is under tremendous pressure from her party to stay in the Senate while she runs for governor, and she appears prepared to do just that.

Texans are already lining up to replace Hutchison, but a spate of recent GOP retirements, along with the likelihood that Senate Democrats will be one seat away from a “filibuster-proof” 60-seat majority, have heaped pressure on her to remain in the Senate as she mounts a 2010 primary challenge to Gov. Rick Perry (R).

Hutchison is not up for reelection until 2012, meaning she could retain her Senate job if she loses the gubernatorial primary.

Conversely, if she resigns early and gives Democrats a shot at 60 seats, it hands Perry a ready-made talking point for what is expected to be a pitched battle between the two Republicans.

Previously, Hutchison’s campaign has said that any resignation would come in late 2009, which would likely pave the way for a May 2010 special election.

But one insider said the forces are so strong that Hutchison is now leaning against resigning.

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I think this is a smart move. The Hill also reports that Cornyn is urging Florida Governor Crist to run for the seat of retiring Mel Martinez. Cornyn has talked to some other candidates for the Florida race, but Crist is an obvious first choice because of his popularity statewide.

Sen. John Cornyn appears to be the most effective Republican leader in Washington these days and he is setting up some strong candidates for 2010. I can't remember the last time I have seen this kind of proactive leadership out of Republicans in Washington who in recent years have gone into a defensive fetal position as stoic punching bags.