Posted on 12/15/2003 1:09:34 PM PST by RobFromGa
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/15/03 |
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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."
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Your moniker suggests a combination of hope and science and fun.
Georgia may produce a black Republican Senator next year.
If JC Watts gets recruited in Oklahoma, we will see another black Republican Senator. The first since Ed Brooke in Massachussetts!!
Back to the future?
Louisiana is one of those states where the Dems still have some solid support on the local level, no doubt about it. But Bush will once again win the state easily, and any Democrat who runs has to be at least perceived as something of a centrist to have any realistic chance.
Hey Rob from GA. I noticed that you are not Rob from LA. If you were, you would be reminded that there are no "good RATs" anywhere in Louisiana.
If a RAT runs for this seat, then the RAT will win, even if it is a REAL rat who is registered as a DemocRAT.
The voters of Louisiana are too drunk on populism to elect a Republican Senator.
Lets see he is getting old, probably has grand kids and has served enough time in the Senate to collect a fat pension. Sounds like a hard decision to me.
Yes CNN/DNC still thinks they have any shot at reclaiming the majority in 2004.
Better written: "another hefty blow to Senate Democrats as they seek to hold a filibuster-capable 41 seats."
Breaux has been as useful to Louisiana and the Senate as tits are to a bull hog.
Simply, Breaux was just some idiot collecting pay and pension benefits at the expense of us tax payers. Sure, he was no Ted Kennedy when it came to outrageousness, but he was certainly no Statesman either.
Senator Breaux's Legacy:
< cricket chirps >
< /cricket chirps >
So, here is a breakdown of Louisiana politics as of today.
1) RAT Governor elect
2) 2 RAT US Senators, one of whom is Mary Landrau
3) Both State houses infested and run by RATS
4) Voting populous who demonstrate no waning trend towards populism, which is the forte of the DemocRATS
Simply, Louisiana will elect a RAT to the Senate. Bookmark this for later referrence, for I wish I am wrong. I have been wrong just once when predicting Louisiana elections. That was recently when poll after poll indicating Jindal would win the Governorship. I figured, hell, if Kalifornia can reform, surely Louisiana could?
I have been snapped back into the realities of Louisiana politics. It stinks to high heaven, and nothing in my lifetime will probably ever change it.
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