Why is Brit Hume Stepping Down?

When this political season is over Fox News' managing editor and host of Special Report, Brit Hume will be stepping down from most of his roles with the network to pursue some personal interests. One reason for his decision: boredom with political campaigns.

His flagging interest was a “cumulative” process, Hume explained, attributable perhaps to covering elections since 1976. Despite heightened viewer interest in the 2008 election, Hume said, he began to feel that there was “nothing really new or different here” when listening to the candidates speak in the latest race.

I can understand that. The same themes are repeated endlessly every election cycle and I can imagine it's difficult to go on the air election night after election night and try to make it interesting.

He also has some personal interests he'd like to pursue:

Hume, 65, said that the decision to leave was his own, explaining that he wants to spend more time with his wife Kim, who stepped down as Fox’s Washington bureau chief two years ago, and the rest of his extended family. He’s also interested in following more spiritual pursuits, he said, such as the regular Bible study attended by his wife.

Special Report is one of only two news shows that I tape every time they're on and watch religiously (the other is Fox News Sunday). I'm gonna miss Brit's humor, his occasional mocking of liberal sacred cows, and his balanced reporting. I'll also miss seeing him fillet Juan Williams every Sunday morning.