Senators early resignations

I feel that they should finish out their term and commitments to those that elected them unless there is a strong personal reason that they cannot finish it.  The most recent example that got a lot of discussion was Governor Palin who resigned with almost a year left in her term.  There were arguments about why she resigned and whether or not she is a "quitter", etc. and, in most cases, if you have chosen politics as your avocation, then quitting in mid-term or before the term is completed is a career disaster.  In Governor Palin's case, I am a bit more flexible in that she and her family were victim to unprecedented critical abuse, jokes, out and out lies, and frivilous law suits that were affecting her ability to perform as a sitting Governor, etc. and, maybe, she actually did the right/smart thing for her and her family as well as the state of Alaska.  It remains to be seen if she can move past that with the American public and maintain her popularity at the national level.   

Senator Martinez has not been under the duress of Palin and has no obvious reason for stepping down at this time.  My guess is that he may have a health or other personal reason that has not been made public as yet, we will just have to wait and see.   

Normally, I would prefer that politicians remain in office for the duration of their terms.  However, there might be personal or medical problems with him or his family  that necessitated his returning to Florida.  Until he releases further information, we are left wondering why.  Maybe, some day soon, we will find out.  Until then, we wait.

Welcome to the world of modern politics. As long as no Federal or Stae laws prohibit it, he's legally okay. Morally? Since when has that word been in the modern vernacular? Don't be  at all surprised to see Deval Patrick try to appoint himself to the Senate when T. Kennedy kicks the bucket in Mass. At the very least, he's ready  for a plum job in Wash. under  Obama's recommendation. Patrick's hip has been acting up as his approval numbers  have plummeted..

Welcome to the world of modern politics. As long as no Federal or Stae laws prohibit it, he's legally okay. Morally? Since when has that word been in the modern vernacular? Don't be  at all surprised to see Deval Patrick try to appoint himself to the Senate when T. Kennedy kicks the bucket in Mass. At the very least, he's ready  for a plum job in Wash. under  Obama's recommendation. Patrick's hip has been acting up as his approval numbers  have plummeted..

There should always be a way for an elected official to resign and the reasons can be of any nature including personal. That is why there are rules in place in case such an event happens. Death cannot be the only way an elected official may not fill out his term as we have seen all the way from President on down. The reasons for such resignation may or may not need to be expressed in public. At least that is my opinion.

You would think they would respect the office enough to serve their full term but often these actions are steeped in political strategy and since Martinez was not going to run again, I suspect there is some strategy involved.