The decision by Republican senator Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois not to seek re-election next year is probably a good one for the GOP. He was perhaps the most vulnerable incumbent of either party; there was a better than 50-50 chance he wouldn’t win a second term. One Democrat was already polling ahead of him. This gives Republicans a chance to put up a fresh face and hold the seat. It’s also worth noting that Fitzgerald has been a disappointment to conservatives. He came to Washington as one, but as the Post reports today, he pursued an “often independent course.” You know what that means. And guys like this never improve–they only get worse over time.