By Katherine Gregg
Journal State House Bureau

Republican Donald L. Carcieri has no intention of leaving the political stage when he leaves the governor's office next week.

While not yet ready to say if he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2012, Carcieri, 68, told WPRO radio talk show host Dan Yorke: "I am not going away.''

"We've invested nine years of our lives in this state, and I think I have a good perspective of the national issues, so I want to be involved.

"I don't want to be second-guessing my successor. That's not a nice thing to do as an outgoing governor,'' Carcieri added. "But I have views, national as well, so I intend to be visible.''