Retired Kohl Happy With Retirement, Still Watches Congress

Former Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl says he still follows politics, but says he doesn’t regret retiring from Congress this year.

Kohl served 24 years in the Senate, but decided not to run for re-election last year. He says he still pays attention to politics, at least through his television set.

“Oh yeah, I still watch C-SPAN… I watch my friends as they do their thing. I feel sorry for them. (laughs)”

Kohl may have been joking about that last comment, but says he’s serious about the pride he takes from having served the state.

“I’ll always remember it as a seminal experience in my life. But it’s time to move on: time to be back here.”

Back in Milwaukee, Kohl remains owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that he admits cratered at the end of this past season, and one that changed coaches again last week. Kohl is also in the middle of the debate over building a new arena in Milwaukee, with many people wondering how many millions of dollars the 78-year-old is willing to put into any new entertainment facility.