Lamar!

I thought Lamar Alexander would be a big senate grandstander, sorta like Lindsey Graham, but he's been remarkably invisible, at least nationally, for most of his time in the Senate.

Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander has informed his colleagues that he is dropping his Whip bid and will step down from leadership in January.

In a letter sent to Republican Senators this morning, the Tennessean and close confidant of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) explained that he could have more of an impact on the issues he cares about outside of leadership. Alexander, 71, said in the letter that he plans to run for re-election in 2014. Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Thune is likely to announce today that he will seek Alexander’s current position in the next Congress, a source close to the South Dakotan said.