Senator Tom Harkin RETIRING, Won't Seek Reelection In 2014

[Segami]

CUMMING, Iowa — Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin says he will not seek re-election in 2014.

The 73-year-old Harkin tells The Associated Press in an interview, "It's just time to step aside," because by the time he would finish a sixth term, he would be 81. Harkin said it would also allow a new generation of Democrats to seek higher office.



The announcement comes as a surprise, considering he had $2.7 million in his campaign war chest and was planning a fundraiser next month. Harkin played a lead role in urging the Senate's more liberal members to back the 2010 health care bill.



No Iowa Republicans have taken formal steps toward seeking the seat. Harkin's decision eases the burden on the GOP, who have to gain six seats to win the majority.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/26/tom-harkin-retiring_n_2557708.html

[FarPoint]

1. I understand fatigue...

Oh...do I ever love this man!

[Segami]

4. Personally, I believe the ' filibuster surrender ' by Reid helped

Tom arrive at his decision.

[FarPoint]

6. You may indeed br correct...

The liberal essense of our party is fading....Tom feels this to I believe.

[Recursion]

2. That's a shame

But he has been a stalwart.

[upi402]

3. I hate to see him go

But if anyone deserves a break, he does.
He fought his butt off for us for many years.



Old school Democrat. I'll miss him.

[senseandsensibility]

5. I wish he would stay, but he is probably

very upset about Harry Reid's latest capitulation. He was vocal about that issue and lobbied hard for Reid to stand firm. The senate need Tom Harkin badly, and this is a blow to progressives. I was just reading about his decision and the article linked to a recent poposal of his last August to create a new pension program that would increase retirement safety. It received rave reviews. I wonder what will happen to this, and his many other causes? Tom was always on the side of the people.