Lexington Herald Leader Editorial "Hits The Nail On The Head" On Jim Bunning's Decision To Abandon Re-Election. Read More Below.

Money as speech

The money has spoken.

Despite his earlier insistence that he would stay in the race for re-election, Sen. Jim Bunning has thrown in the towel.

Not-so-subtle signs from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell did the trick as Republican money migrated to Secretary of State Trey Grayson's exploratory committee.

Bunning, who is 77 and went to Congress 23 years ago to represent Northern Kentucky's 4th District, blamed Senate Republican leaders for doing "everything in their power to dry up my fund-raising."

One hundred former Bunning donors, including some of his staunchest allies, had given to Grayson, The Courier-Journal reported Sunday.

Despite the financial disadvantage, Bunning probably would have won a primary, especially since Grayson had said he would not run if Bunning sought re-election.

Republicans do stand a better chance of keeping the seat with the volatile, gaffe-prone Bunning off the ballot, even with Bunning's strong support in Northern Kentucky and his reputation for standing fast to his beliefs.

This concession to the almighty dollar by one of the orneriest men in politics (or major league baseball) should remove any doubt about what really drives modern American politicking.