Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) is Retiring But GOP Needs Quality Candidates by Gregory Hilton

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) is announcing his retirement today, which means the awful Russ Feingold could come back to inflict more damage on our national security. Chairman Paul Ryan of the Budget Committee would be an outstanding Senator, but great potential candidates in Michigan and Pennsylvania have already turned down the Republican Party.
The GOP desperately needs quality candidates in all three battleground states. These would be difficult campaigns but they are winnable. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) won last year by supporting free trade but also concentrating on a jobs creating agenda.
Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) are under 50%, and their polling numbers are not impressive. Their approval ratings are far below Feingold’s and he was defeated.
The major GOP political figures in Michigan and Pennsylvania are not going to run, and campaigns in these states would be very expensive. Nevertheless, these races are great opportunities for a business leader to enter the political arena at the top.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has a 37% approval rating and is in the same category, but recruitment efforts in the Garden State are making progress.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Gov. Rick Snyder (R-MI) came out of nowhere to win last year. They had never sought office before, and Republicans need candidates of their caliber.