[politics]When Will Sen. McCain RESIGN His Senate Seat; What Will Happen?

The state's largest paper reports on his non-denial denial-type of answer from Sen. McCain when they asked if he was going to resign his Senate seat now that he is the presumptive nominee for President.

Here's his ANSWER: 

"Look, if I have the nomination, then we will decide whether I would remain in the Senate until after I'm elected president, if I'm elected president, or not. And the time to begin that process of thinking is after I have the nomination of the party. But right now, I have no inclination to leave the United States Senate early. So that's my position at this time. But . . .  if and when I win the nomination, I will then make that decision. But, right now, it is my intention to remain in the United States Senate."

Here's my (limited) insights for political junkies (initially posted on TalkingPointsMemo):

A couple of interesting points:
1) Long-time Republican Rep John Shadegg unexpectedly announced this week that he would not run for re-election - people have been speculating that he intends to run for McCain's seat (he had also replaced McCain in the House when McCain moved to the Senate). That is what prompted the Republic to ask McCain about his Senate seat, no doubt.
2) Gov. Napolitano had the opportunity to appoint a Republican replacement to the Arizona Corporation Commission (regulates utilities, etc). (The vacancy was caused by the removal of a scandal-plagued Republican Commissioner.) Commissioners are elected officials. The Governor appointed Kris Mayes, who was a moderate (some described her as - gasp - liberal) Republican who had been working as the Governor's press aide. The Republican party was FURIOUS!  But, it worked.  She faced competition in the primary, but the appointment gave her the leg up, and she was elected to the seat.

Delicious side note: Kris Mayes is exploring a run for Congress (to replace scandal-plagued Rep. Rick Renzi). Could Gov. Napolitano slingshot Mayes AGAIN?!?