WASHINGTON - Chuck Hagel will announce Monday that he is retiring from the U.S. Senate and will not run for president next year, people close to the Nebraska Republican said Friday.

Hagel plans to announce that “he will not run for re-election and that he does not intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008,” said one person, who asked not to be named.

Hagel has scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. Monday at the Omaha Press Club.

Omaha World Herald

Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out, Chuck.  I knew he would retire.  He has zero shot at running for President and he can’t run for reelection to the Senate because he knows he’ll lose in the primary.  His conservative challenger is already polling ahead of him.  Maybe if he didn’t spend so much time shooting off his mouth and grandstanding in front of the TV cameras he might still get some respect in the Cornhusker State.