Yeah, it’s summer, and out in the real world that means picnics and swimming pools.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the first House member to announce retirement before the 2008 cycle. (CQ/Scott J. Ferrell)

In the political world, though, the approach of August signals crunch time for lawmakers who are wavering and haven’t yet decided whether to run again in 2010 or announce their retirement. If they’re going to leave, the polite thing to do is to put out the word early enough for a same-party successor to start putting a campaign together.

Though 17 members of the House have already said they’re not defending their House seats in 2010, all of them are running for other political office. No House member has yet announced plans to leave political life after the 2010 election.