MtnBiker
Senior Member
La. Sen. John Breaux Plans to Retire
December 16, 2003 05:35 AM EST
BATON ROUGE, La. - Three-term Democratic Sen. John Breaux intends to retire next year, ending a 30-year political career and giving Republicans another strong opportunity to pick up a Southern Senate seat in 2004.
"There comes a time in every career when it is time to step aside and let others step up. For my family and me, that time has arrived," Breaux said at a news conference Monday, choking back tears several times.
Breaux, 59, becomes the fifth Southern Democrat in the Senate to step down in 2004, further compounding the party's difficulties in its struggle to retake control of the chamber.
Republicans hold a 51-48 majority in the Senate, with one Democrat-leaning independent. And Breaux's seniority and clout on Capitol Hill have often translated into benefits for Louisianans.
"This one's going to hurt," said political consultant Elliot Stonecipher. "This is a very real hit, and it's going to hurt."
Breaux frequently crossed the aisle to work with Republicans, sometimes angering fellow Democrats and earning a reputation as one of the GOP's favorite Democrats.
"Throughout my years in Congress I have been guided by a simple philosophy - to make government work for everyone. I didn't go to Washington to get nothing done other than argue about whose fault it was when we failed to make government work," Breaux said Monday.
The latest example was the Medicare reform bill, where he was one of only a few Democrats to be involved in crafting the legislation, which creates a new prescription drug benefit for millions of senior citizens. Other examples include his work on health care and tax issues.
"John Breaux is a distinguished public servant. His tenure in the Senate has been marked by bipartisan statesmanship, results for the people of Louisiana, and dedicated service for America," President Bush said in a statement.
Breaux deflected questions about his plans, saying he had not "negotiated" with anyone, and that he couldn't make commitments because he is still a serving U.S senator.
His son John Breaux Jr. is a highly successful Washington, D.C., lobbyist and Breaux wouldn't say whether he too intends to become a lobbyist. But he made it clear that a primary reason for leaving the Senate is to have a "second career."
He told reporters: "There is something to be said for retiring at the top of your game."
Two of Louisiana's congressmen - Democrat Chris John and Republican David Vitter - are expected to jump into the 2004 Senate race, but both remained mum on their intentions Monday.
Four other Southern Democrats in the Senate have announced plans to retire: Bob Graham of Florida; John Edwards of North Carolina, Ernest Hollings of South Carolina and Zell Miller of Georgia.
Two Senate Republicans have announced plans to retire at the end of the term, Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois and Don Nickles of Oklahoma.
Breaux represents a state with a strong dependence on federal spending, especially in the military sector, and his seniority was expected to be particularly missed on the powerful Finance Committee.
"There's one thing time always will cure," Breaux quipped, "and that's seniority. We'll build up that seniority, and we'll have new and young and aggressive people that will fit that bill."
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December 16, 2003 05:35 AM EST
BATON ROUGE, La. - Three-term Democratic Sen. John Breaux intends to retire next year, ending a 30-year political career and giving Republicans another strong opportunity to pick up a Southern Senate seat in 2004.
"There comes a time in every career when it is time to step aside and let others step up. For my family and me, that time has arrived," Breaux said at a news conference Monday, choking back tears several times.
Breaux, 59, becomes the fifth Southern Democrat in the Senate to step down in 2004, further compounding the party's difficulties in its struggle to retake control of the chamber.
Republicans hold a 51-48 majority in the Senate, with one Democrat-leaning independent. And Breaux's seniority and clout on Capitol Hill have often translated into benefits for Louisianans.
"This one's going to hurt," said political consultant Elliot Stonecipher. "This is a very real hit, and it's going to hurt."
Breaux frequently crossed the aisle to work with Republicans, sometimes angering fellow Democrats and earning a reputation as one of the GOP's favorite Democrats.
"Throughout my years in Congress I have been guided by a simple philosophy - to make government work for everyone. I didn't go to Washington to get nothing done other than argue about whose fault it was when we failed to make government work," Breaux said Monday.
The latest example was the Medicare reform bill, where he was one of only a few Democrats to be involved in crafting the legislation, which creates a new prescription drug benefit for millions of senior citizens. Other examples include his work on health care and tax issues.
"John Breaux is a distinguished public servant. His tenure in the Senate has been marked by bipartisan statesmanship, results for the people of Louisiana, and dedicated service for America," President Bush said in a statement.
Breaux deflected questions about his plans, saying he had not "negotiated" with anyone, and that he couldn't make commitments because he is still a serving U.S senator.
His son John Breaux Jr. is a highly successful Washington, D.C., lobbyist and Breaux wouldn't say whether he too intends to become a lobbyist. But he made it clear that a primary reason for leaving the Senate is to have a "second career."
He told reporters: "There is something to be said for retiring at the top of your game."
Two of Louisiana's congressmen - Democrat Chris John and Republican David Vitter - are expected to jump into the 2004 Senate race, but both remained mum on their intentions Monday.
Four other Southern Democrats in the Senate have announced plans to retire: Bob Graham of Florida; John Edwards of North Carolina, Ernest Hollings of South Carolina and Zell Miller of Georgia.
Two Senate Republicans have announced plans to retire at the end of the term, Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois and Don Nickles of Oklahoma.
Breaux represents a state with a strong dependence on federal spending, especially in the military sector, and his seniority was expected to be particularly missed on the powerful Finance Committee.
"There's one thing time always will cure," Breaux quipped, "and that's seniority. We'll build up that seniority, and we'll have new and young and aggressive people that will fit that bill."
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lets hope so!!!!
