SEN BREAUX (D-LA) ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Sen. Breaux's Website ^ | Dec 15, 2004 | Sen. Breaux

[RobFromGa]

JOHN BREAUX ANNOUNCES HE WILL RETIRE FROM THE U.S. SENATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/15/03

WASHINGTON (Dec. 15) - U.S. Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) today announced he will not seek re-election to the United States Senate after serving 31 years in the United States Congress.

"There comes a time in every career when it is time to step aside, and let others step up and serve," Sen. Breaux said. "And for my family and me that time has arrived. I will not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate."

Sen. Breaux, 59, talked about his long career in government saying,"it's been a great 35 years - a few as a staff person, 14 years as a member of Congress, representing southwest Louisiana, and it will be 18 years as a U.S. senator, representing our state of Louisiana. I had the privilege of serving with five governors and seven presidents."

Sen. Breaux is a long-time moderate Democrat, a founder of the Democratic Leadership Council, and co-chairman of the Senate Centrist Coalition.

"Throughout my years in Congress, I have been guided by a simple philosophy - to make government work for everyone," he said. "My sincere hope is that future Congresses will be able to pursue the center-out coalitions that I advocated. It is my hope that cooperation and legitimate compromise between our political parties will not be seen as political failure, but rather as a means of building a stronger democracy that serves our nation."

Sen. Breaux's record of accomplishments and results include:

* Imposing budget discipline and passing targeted, responsible tax cuts to the people and businesses who could do the most good.

* Expanding trade opportunities for Louisiana industries, while fighting to protect growers and workers from unfair and illegal foreign trade practices.

* Expanding the energy industry, while seeking alternative energy sources.

* Reforming the nation's welfare system - emphasizing more work, but increasing funds for training, education and childcare.

* Securing funds to preserve and restore Louisiana's wetlands, and educating the nation about the importance of protecting vanishing coastlines.

* And, making healthcare more affordable and more accessible, and most recently - adding a prescription drug benefit to a reformed and modernized Medicare program.

Sen. Breaux thanked his wife Lois saying, "I could not have asked for a more helpful and supportive partner and friend. No one has been more lucky and fortunate than me in finding you."

He also recognized his four children, three grandchildren, father, mother-in-law, staff, colleagues, friends and supporters.

Sen. Breaux concluded by saying: "I'm not leaving today. There is still a lot to get done this Congress. We have to get the energy bill passed, and I want to get started on legislation for the 40 million Americans who have no health insurance. And, I look forward to co-chairing with Governor-elect Kathleen Blanco the very important summit meeting on healthcare in Louisiana.

"So, this is not goodbye. After working for more than half my life on issues important to Louisiana, I intend to continue that involvement in the future, but in a different capacity. But for now - thank you for the privilege and honor of serving Louisiana and our country."

###

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

I hope Richard Ieyoub jumps into the Senate race. He could split the RAT vote in the jungle primary.

Actually that worries me. If Ieyoub gets in and splits the vote, he could hold Vitter under 50% and they'll be a run-off between Vitter and the Democrat, where he'll be free of Bush's coattails. I think in that scenario Vitter could probably beat Ieyoub, but I'm doubtful on Chris John.

[Salvation]

Will this seat get picked up by the Republicans?

[Sloth]

Run Jindal again... he's got better name recognition now.

[m1-lightning]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all five seats in southern states? That would give an edge to Republican victory so long as it's not a John Mccain type Republican.

[Salvation]

**Vegas will soon show Repubs being the odds on favorites to pick up +5 Senate seats rather than +4 in 2004...**

And that would lead to 56+ seats
Only four more to go to override the dims filibusters!

[Texagirl4W]

"I'm genuinely sorry to see Breaux bid us adieus. He was one of the better Dems. Why can't it be Barbara Boxer?"

I agree with you, I like John Breaux. Didn't President Bush make an offer to him at one time? Does anyone else remember that?

[deport]

Ieyoub could be a very strong candidate..... He and John would be fighting over the same Southwest LA vote. In addition Ieyoub has been elected statewide as Attorney General three times I believe. That will give him strong ties to many law enforcement agencies in each parish such as the sheriff and local District Attorney.

[Buck W.]

"Didn't President Bush make an offer to him at one time?"

I believe they were discussing Secy of Energy role, but Breaux wouldn't leave the Senate with a Republican governor in place.

[deport]

The open seats in addition to Breaux are: Bob Graham of Florida; John Edwards of North Carolina, Ernest Hollings of South Carolina and Zell Miller of Georgia.

[deport]

FYI...... comments

[NonValueAdded]

I'm not so sure this is a good thing for the Republicans. Breaux's vote on many issues was more reliable than the ladies from Down East, for example. What if a real RAT replaces him?

[montag813]

PLEASE PLEASE, ANYONE but Suzy Terrell!

[deport]

PLEASE PLEASE, ANYONE but Suzy Terrell!

---

LOL......... Didn't Mary Landrieu tell her during their campaign that she was finished as to winning elective office in LA or something like that?

[anymouse]

Pretty soon PIAPS is going to be singing opera. :)

Will the last Rat left in the Senate office building please turn out the lights. :)

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Even though Chris John will be the incumbant Senator and a centrist Democrat, he can be beaten by Bobby Jindal.

If somebody provides a telephone number or email address, I'd like to contact Jindal to offer money for his campaign for Senator.

[jagrmeister]

Because Boxer and her fellow unproductive extremists use the Senate as a retirement facility. Witness Daniel Inouye. Breaux and others have the good sense to contribute, then check out.

[CPT Clay]

Will Daschele be next?

He is not going to see Majority Leader for a very long time!!!!

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

Heh, just wait to see if Thune runs. He may not have the option to retire voluntarily :)

[Flux Capacitor]

----PLEASE PLEASE, ANYONE but Suzy Terrell!----

I wouldn't worry about that -- Suzie's political career is face-down in the gumbo bowl with a big fork sticking out of it. That's fine with me.... I've wasted my vote on her twice now and have no desire to do so again. She's useless.

Now, all you folks dreaming of picking up this seat.... I'd advise you to concentrate your energies on Georgia and Florida and the Carolinas, where the odds actually favor the GOP. This is not a southern state we're talking about here.... this is Louisiana. This state sucks very, very, VERY hard. This state is so hopelessly corrupt that elections aren't much more than a formality. This state is home to the stupidest, most pathetic, most contemptible collection of illiterate mouth-breathers who ever signed onto voter rolls anywhere in America. It goes without saying, therefore, that this is the most solidly Democratic southern state there is.

Yeah, I'll definitely be there next November and December to pull the toggle on my precinct's 50 year-old voting machine for whichever name has an "R" next to it (a tree stump? No problem). But I'm not feeling particularly energized about it. Hopefully by next November I'll have reason to be spirited about this race and can put some gusto into shoving my middle finger into the faces of John Breaux, Chris John, and the empty-skulled racist bitch we just elected governor. Assuming, of course, I haven't come to my senses by then and moved back to Texas.

-Dan

[Flux Capacitor]

----If somebody provides a telephone number or email address, I'd like to contact Jindal to offer money for his campaign for Senator.----

Save your money -- Jindal isn't white.

-Dan