BREAKING

Sen. Harkin Will Not Seek Re-election in 2014

The senior Iowa Democrat is retiring from the Senate

Jan 26, 2013 by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

Imagine: AP

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, the influential chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, announced Saturday that he will not seek re-election in 2014.

"It's just time to step aside," the 73-year-old Harkin told the Associated Press. He pointed out that he would be 81 by the time he would finish a sixth term.

Harkin's announcement came as a surprise since he already had $2.7 million in his campaign war chest and was planning to hold a fundraising event in Washington D.C. next month, the AP reports.

Harkin, a leading liberal voice in the Senate, told the AP that his departure would allow a new generation of Democrats to seek higher office. His announcement puts a seat in play for the mid-term elections when Democrats will try to hold onto their majority. The GOP will need to gain six seats to take control of the Senate. So far, no Iowa Republicans have taken formal steps to run, the AP said.

Via the Associated Press

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Comments (view in Forum)

Jan '13

texas_cutie75

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I am for term limits for all politicians ...period.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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The constitution has term limits. They are called elections. At some point voters need accept their responsibility for what happens.
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Jan '13

FollowTheMoney

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@PoliticalSpice Indeed they should accept their responsibility, but they won't. Most Americans are too raped up in their own lives to care. No since of duty, honor or country. Our election process has been bastardized by professional politicians selling laws and influence, and those with big money buying laws and influence. We need a constitutional amendment forcing Term limits on the professional politician. Thus taking the temptation of profit out of the equation. Then politicians, in temporary service, will stop folding under the pressure financial backing and work for all Americans. Not just the one that can afford to finance their re- elections.
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Jan '13

texas_cutie75

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@PoliticalSpice

OK, let me rephrase! There should only be so many times one can run for office. My friend, I vote, I vote every election... my voter registration card is tattered ..I vote that much!
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@FollowTheMoney Here is the real issue, comstitutional concerns aside. The legislature is authorizes funds and does oversight. Buearacracies are very resistent to change or reform, they excell at stalling, and it takes time to
understand them. If people are termed out reform becomes impossible because it takes years to do the tiniest thing with these agencies.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@texas_cutie75 Well I really wish repubs would not vote that much. :)
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Jan '13

Wafflecone

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Good decision, let some new blood in, Harry Reid should have done the same.
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Jan '13

FollowTheMoney

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Glad to see any incumbent career politician leave office. I just wish he would leave his pension behind as well.
- B2 • Vote Up r18 Replies
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Jan '13

texas_cutie75

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What happens to the 2.7 million in his campaign war chest?
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Jan '13

FollowTheMoney

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@texas_cutie75 I'm not sure, but I think he gets to keep it as income.
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Jan '13

texas_cutie75

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@FollowTheMoney

I'm in the wrong dang profession...lol
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@texas_cutie75 That is 100% correct. He gets to keep it.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@texas_cutie75 Run on a platform of legalizing rocket launchers. In texas its a sure to get you elected.
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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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Please good riddance.
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Jan '13

harold_lloyd

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Just being snarky doesn't add to your credibility.
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Jan '13

Fishbone345

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@harold_lloyd It may have been snarky, but I'm with Neo on this. If others would do the same thing it would be really nice. I'd like to see the entire Senate and House be redone.
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Post @Fishbone345
Jan '13

PNWest

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He's been a good senator. Have a happy retirement.
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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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Yea, the second sentence you said.
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Jan '13

PNWest

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@Neo_NtheMatrix Hope things are well in Neo land. We've got a beautiful crisp sunny day up here in central Oregon. Today is free day at our local High Desert Museum . A good day to soak up some culture on the cheap!
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Jan '13

Fishbone345

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@PNWest "We've got a beautiful crisp sunny day up here in central Oregon."
I'm jealous. Its frigid here, because of the inversion. The only place its warm is on the mountainside, and I can't afford lift tickets right now.:(
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Jan '13

PNWest

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@Fishbone345 We had an inversion here for about 10 days. There was actually smog in downtown Bend. Cheer up - it won't last that long.
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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Harkins been OK. Iowa leans repub, so Announcing was stupid. He should have waited till the last minute and told his prefered replacement earlier in confidence. That's the way the pro's operate.
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Jan '13

OhWiseOne

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Your Dear Leader has taught you well. Chicago style politics at its finest.
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Jan '13

woodtick57

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Word would get out as the replacement for the D party starts fundraising...
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@woodtick57 There are ways to do that, start by just fund raising for your next congressional campaign, saying you anticipate a tougher race then last time (technically the truth).
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Jan '13

PoliticalSpice

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@OhWiseOne If by dear leader you mean obama, you "misunderestimate" me to quote your great leader. I've known about that for over 20 years. It's no big secret. I'm sure Harkins knows too, seems he just has a sense of fair play. Iowans are like that.
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Jan '13

DARSB

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@OhWiseOne Because public announcements of future actions is so Chicago-like?
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Jan '13

DARSB

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He's done well for Iowans as the natural counter weight to Sen Grassley. I'm not sure the GOP has much advantage in taking this seat though: Iowa went blur for Obama twice and I wouldn't be surprised to see the President campaigning for another corn belt Democrat.
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Jan '13

SomethinsFishy

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Great news for gun owners, America!
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Jan '13

RobertJHarsh

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The man is old and tired. He wants to retire.
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Jan '13

CaryNickel

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I don't live in Iowa, and never have. So it doesn't bother me in the least.
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Jan '13

NTBFW

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I am always glad to see a liberal leave.
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Jan '13

Romney_Rube

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Harkin was always food at telling funny jokes.
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Jan '13

DARSB

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The Rothenberg Report doesn't think this is advantageous for Republicans:

" (Rep Steve) King has carved out a tough line on immigration and other conservative issues, and is a favorite of the Club for Growth.(Rep Tom) Latham is a favorite of leadership and a proven fundraiser, and is already seen by the GOP establishment as the stronger candidate in a statewide race.(Gov Terry) Branstad told National Journal last year that Latham would be a more formidable candidate in the Senate race, while King would have “a tough uphill climb.”

Numbers are still on the Democrats’ side, even though the GOP year of 2010 was kind to the GOP. President Obama won the state twice now, with nearly 54 percent in 2008 and 52 percent in 2012."
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Jan '13

Fishbone345

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Good, now if we could just get the rest of the House and Senate to do the same thing. A complete overhaul would be nice, the Lobbies wouldn't be able to establish a foothold immediately it would take time. Time that Congress could use to actually do some good work for the nation and the goddamn People they represent.
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Jan '13

ConserveUSA

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Woo-hoo! Get a Republican to replace him!!!
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Jan '13

RedFloppyShoes

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First, he has been in office too long.

Second, now there is a potential of removing another Progressive from Congress.
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Jan '13

vws

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bye-bye
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Jan '13

bigblock

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Oh no, another leftist POS heading for the tall grass. Don't let the screen door hit you, scum bag.
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Are you disappointed to hear that Harkin will not seek re-election?

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