Republicans say Nickles intends to announce plans to retire

The Daily Oklahoman ^ | 2003-10-07 | The Associated Press

[cashion]

WASHINGTON - Sen. Don Nickles, R-Ponca City, who carved out a solidly conservative record across four terms in the Senate, intends to announce plans to retire rather than seek re-election next year, Republican officials said today.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as Nickles, the former Senate GOP whip, scheduled a midday announcement in his home state to announce his future plans.

Nickles would become the second Republican lawmaker to announce retirement plans, after Sen. Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois.

Nickles' departure would complicate Republican efforts to hold the seat and also to retain their current majority, although Oklahoma has swung solidly behind GOP candidates in recent senatorial and presidential elections. The White House as well as Republican senators have tried to persuade Nickles to seek another term.

Nickles would be a safe bet for re-election. So much so that Rep. Brad Carson, D-Okla., has signaled an interest in running for the seat but only if the four-term incumbent does not.

Nickles was the second ranking Republican until earlier this year, and became chairman of the Budget Committee at the beginning of the most recent Congress.

Rep. Ernest Istook, D-Okla., has also shown an interest in Nickles' seat.

As whip during the previous several years, Nickles often clashed behind the scenes with then-Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss. And when Lott became embroiled in a racially charged controversy over the winter, it was Nickles who first said publicly that rank-and-file Republicans should look elsewhere for a new leader.

That began a series of events that led to Lott's decision to step aside and the selection of Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., as the new Republican leader.

Nickles, 54, was elected to the Senate in 1980, at the age of 31. He has maintained a conservative voting record, and in his brief tenure as chairman of the Budget Committee, frequently spoke on the Senate floor against legislation he said would exceed spending limits that Republicans had agreed upon.

At the same time, he has shown an ability to work across party lines, finding common ground with Democrats on legislation to extend unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless.

Oklahoma hasn't had an open Senate seat since 1994, when David Boren resigned to become president of the University of Oklahoma. Two sitting congressmen squared off, with Republican Jim Inhofe beating Democrat Dave McCurdy.

In 1998, Nickles became the first Oklahoma Republican ever elected to a fourth term in the U.S. Senate.

[cashion]

Nickles seat was a lock as long as it was Nickles was running, now we can't be so sure.

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[Callahan]

If Repubs can't win in Oklahoma, I'm giving up hope on my own state.

[axiom9]

This is not very good news. Senator Nickles has been a strong Republican in the Senate. He will be missed.

Could this be an opening for Senator JC Watts? That would really make my day to see JC return to Washington.

[cashion]

Could this be an opening for Senator JC Watts? That would really make my day to see JC return to Washington.

I'd gladly cast my vote for JC, though it already appears there are a number of Republican hopefuls ready to jump into the race. US Rep Earnest Istook and OKC Mayor Kirk Humphries have already expressed interest.

[Digger]

I think he is tired of the RINO administration/policies in Washington.

[EERinOK]

He's definately on an island in DC with only a handful of others in his policy and voting record.

He'll be missed by me, and I am grateful for what he has stood for. If the rest of the republicans in the senate were half as conservative as Senator Nickles, we would have a senate and a majorty worth praising.

[AuH2ORepublican]

*PING*

Hopefully J.C. Watts will join Herman Cain in the U.S. Senate, the first time since Reconstruction that there have been two black Senators serving together. The GOP would have 2 black Senators to the RATs' 0. That should raise some eyebrows.

[JohnnyZ]

Rep. Ernest Istook, D-Okla., has also shown an interest in Nickles' seat.

R

[Dan from Michigan]

I'd like to see Tom Coburn make a comeback. He's proven to win in dem areas without turning left.

[Reagan Man]

The GOP better start looking for a conservative replacement for Don Nickles. I hope Oklahoma doesn't follow the bad example set by Californa. The GOP doesn't need to advance the campaigns of anymore liberal RINO's to elected office.

[jimt]

Could this be an opening for Senator JC Watts? That would really make my day to see JC return to Washington.

I'd love to see it as well. I'd donate.

[cashion]

Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla.

You're definitely right. I guess I didn't read the article very thoroughly.

[Redbob]

Now if only we could get rid of the rest of the long-time 'Pubbies who long ago learned their "place" as good little members of the minority.

It's time we elected a GOP Congress made up of leaders, not wimpy followers and respectful minders of the minority mindset.

[JohnnyZ]

You're definitely right. I guess I didn't read the article very thoroughly.

It's amazing to me how often national news stories mix up the affiliation of US Reps. Janet Hook of the LA Times wrote that my congressman, Sue Myrick, was from South Carolina, ABC News wrote that Peter Deutsch was going to challenge Sen. Bob Graham, and now Istook -- I seem to recall other instances, too, but not specifics. It should be the easiest thing to fact check.

[Kuksool]

I sure hope that JC Watts runs for the US Senate. Watts is the best guy to hold the Senate seat. An open Senate seat is no sure thing even in GOP-leaning OK. RAT Brad Carson is a skillful campaigner. Carson might be able to fool enough gullible Yellow Dogs into voting for him.

[Clintonfatigued]

It would be awesome if J.C. Watts were to come out of retirement, but word has it that he's happy where he is. Congressman Ernest Istook and Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys are the names most mentioned on the Republican side. On the 'Rat side, a poll says that state Attorney General Drew Edmondson is leading Congressman Brad Carson. In fact, Drew Edmondson's father, a former Congressman, ran near-successful races for the U.S. Senate in 1972 and 1974. If the race is difined as conservative versus liberal, the Republicans win easily. But if it's between a city-slicker Republican and a rural Democrat, the 'Rats could really win this one. Is there any chance that Congressman Frank Lucas could run? No one can accuse Lucas of being a city-slicker.

[Pubbie]

Istook can take down either of the two Democrats you mentioned, although I concede to you that Drew Edmondson would be easier to defeat.