by TChris

Despite winning the Republican primary in May, despite enjoying the endorsement of the Ohio Republican Party and more than 100 Republican officials in Ohio, despite his vow to stay in the race for reelection, Rep. Bob Ney has flip-flopped. Ney -- otherwise known as "Representative No. 1" in one of the Abramoff indictments -- announced his decision to drop out of the race.

Like every other disgraced politician or political operative who leaves his position voluntarily, Ney said he wants to spend more time with his family. The more likely reason: Ney has exhausted his ability to exploit his office.

Contributions to Ney's legal-defense fund dried up over the summer. He raised no money for the fund over the last three months after picking up $65,000 in the year's first quarter, according to financial disclosure records.

Ney, like his buddy Tom DeLay, will likely use funds he's raised to finance his reelection campaign to pay legal expenses associated with ongoing investigations of his corrupt behavior.