THE NATION - Warner's retirement adds to GOP's woes - The Virginia senator's seat could be just what the Democrats need to increase their majority. He said age was a factor.

"My work and service to Virginia as a senator will conclude on the 6th of January, 2009," the 80-year-old senator said at a news conference at the University of Virginia, with his wife, Jeanne, at his side.

Warner's decision to retire comes as Senate Republicans have been hit by a series of political calamities, including Idaho Sen. Larry Craig's guilty plea to disorderly conduct in a men's restroom; a search by federal agents of the Alaska home of Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator; and Louisiana Sen. David Vitter's apology for a "very serious sin" after his phone number turned up in the records of an alleged Washington madam.

Warner, a former Armed Services Committee chairman who recently called on President Bush to begin withdrawing some troops from Iraq before Christmas, said he would continue to play a central role in the war debate. The debate is expected to heat up this month when lawmakers receive a progress report on the troop increase.

But the courtly, silver-haired former Navy secretary, veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and ex-husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor said that age was a consideration.

"The Senate is a very active organization," he said. "Much is required of you."

On a recent trip to Iraq, Warner said that he spent "day and night, jumping on and off helicopters, cargo planes, shaking hands, quickly eating and moving on. I withstood it fine, just as well as when I was in boot camp in the Marines. No problem at all.

"But you've got to face, I'm now 80," he said, pointing out that he would be nearly 88 at the end of another six-year term.

Warner drew praise from members of both parties.

"At a time when our political climate is as partisan and divisive as ever, John Warner embodies bipartisanship, courtesy and generosity," said his junior colleague, Jim Webb (D-Va.). "He is the quintessential Virginia gentleman."

Webb, who has pressed to limit the deployment of U.S. troops in Iraq, said, "The president would do well to listen to John Warner during his last year in office."