MAYBE THE WAR WILL END WHEN EVERY REPUBLICAN RESIGNS-- GOOD RIDDANCE JERRY WELLER

Jerry Weller hasn't been indicted for any criminal acts (yet) but, as today's Washington Post delicately puts it, "facing questions about his ethics, [he] announced Friday that he will not seek an eighth term." And, like all Republicrooks being driven from office, he wants to spend more time with his family.

Weller is fighting a subpoena in a former colleague's bribery trial, and he faces criticism that he did not reveal to Congress the extent of his Nicaraguan land purchases.

That's only one in a long list of crooked activities that are liable to land him in prison if he doesn't get out of Dodge quick. He can go to Guatemala where his wife is a congressmember-- and the daughter of the brutal former fascist dictator, Efrain Rios Montt. And this week Weller had the distinction of being placed on CREW's list of the 22 most corrupt members of Congress. A rubber stamp Republican and a complete tool of the Bush Regime, Weller has a perfect 100% voting record on Iraq; he never differed from Bush and Cheney on a single vote, not even on a procedural vote.

Democrats consider Weller's seat (IL-11) an excellent chance for a pickup. "I thought it was in play given the scandal-ridden state of Mr. Weller's affairs," Will County Democratic Chairman Myron Brick said. "But it's definitely in play now, and we are looking for the highest profile candidate we can find." Weller's share of the vote has sunk from 64% in 2002 to 59% in 2004 to 55% in 2006 when he beat out former CIA counter-intelligence officer John Pavich, who is likely to run again.

Just two days ago the Weller camp was denying rumors that he was quitting Congress and would soon be on the lam. His campaign manager, Steve Shearer said he has no plans to retire and claimed that reports that Weller would retire have become a "cottage industry... We're raising money. He's circulating petitions." Weller's departure makes for the third open seat Republicans will have to defend in Illinois. Republican congressmembers Ray LaHood and Dennis Hastert have each announced they will not be running for re-election. Earlier in the week Jim Ramstad (R-MN) also announced he would not be seeking re-election, making Weller's their 8th so far. Along with Ramstad's, Hastert's and Deborah Pryce's (OH), Weller's is the 4th suburban seat being given up. This is tough for the cash-strapped GOP since suburban districts are where they are faring worse these days.

The next three Republicans likely to announce they won't be running again are Tom Davis (VA), who plans to be the Republicans' sacrificial pig on the alter of Mark Warner, Ralph Regula (OH), who is old and tired, and Bill Young (FL) who is old, fed up, and embarrassed from the Walter Reed scandals he should have prevented. The only two Democrats retiring, Mark Udall (CO) and Tom Allen (ME) are trying to win senate seats and both districts are good bets for Democrats.