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."

###

[RobFromGa]

I'm just glad that we aren't facing a Miller-Breaux ticket.

[theDentist]

IT'S THE end of his term and he knows it,
It's the end of his term and he knows it,
It's the end of his term and he knows it,
and now he'll whiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!

[mercy]

Further proof that poverty does in fact breed ignorance. Wish the South and SW could Jetison Lousyanna AND 'New' mexico.

[oceanview]

we will not take this seat. these local LA elections always turn Dem at the last minute.

[TheBigB]

"Chris John" is about as Cajun-sounding as Bob Whitebread. :-)

[m1-lightning]

The retirement of Breaux, 59, deals another hefty blow to Senate Democrats as they seek to reclaim the majority in 2004.

Just one more open race closer to 60 seats for the Republicans... just think, no more abortion, no more church and state crap, no more gun bans, no more racist legislation...

[alloysteel]

Most interesting. Like Zell Miller, John Breaux is a Southern Democrat who has come to believe the party has left him, and there is no need to attempt to board a runaway train.

Back there a few years, in a country much like the one in which we now live, there were two major political parties, both dedicated to the preservation of a common dream, the shining city on the hill, the beacon for the world. At some point, one of those political parties lost that vision, and never recovered even a poor substitute for the one lost.

More's the pity. A great deal of energy is wasted, in constructing all these bogies, when in truth, the practical answer is responding to force with sufficiently superior force to impose your will. And there are occasions when imposing your will is imperative.

Else you shall be driven into positions not desired by anyone.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

No time to read this article... is there ANY mention of what this guy went through working on Medicare reform during Bubba's administration, at Bubba's request and urging, only to have Bubba walk away when he knew that would p*ss-off his lying Demo supporters?

Can't be fun being in the minority with no hope of ever seeing majority status again in his lifetime. Maybe Bubba can arrange some speaking engagements, John.

[Hank Rearden]

Awwwwww, shucks.

[Vigilanteman]

With Breaux and Zell gone, the Honorable Democrat Senator Caucus will be down to a solitary member-- Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Gotta be awfully lonely.

[Deb8]

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

[Deb8]

Oops, didn't realize that no one had mentioned that Blanco, the Gov, will appoint John to fill out the term. Thus making John the incumbent.

[deport]

Breaux won't run for re-election to the Senate
By ADAM NOSSITER Associated Press Writer

File photo

Sen. John Breaux.

Sen. John Breaux, a leading Democratic centrist and dealmaker during three terms in office, announced Monday he will not run for re-election next year.

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.

"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," a tearful Breaux said at a news conference.

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.

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.

In fact, some Republicans wanted Breaux to run again, saying they did not want Louisiana to lose the clout of a longtime senator.

Often halting to hold back tears, Breaux on Monday thanked his wife, children, parents and his Louisiana and Washington staff. He stopped short of making his remarks a farewell address, saying work remains to be done during his final year in office, including passage of an energy bill and health insurance for millions of uninsured.

"I'm not leaving today," he said. "There's still a lot to get done in this Congress."

Republicans hold a 51-48 majority in the Senate, with one Democrat-leaning independent.

Four other Southern Democrats in the Senate have announced plans to retire in states where President Bush figures to run strongly next year: Bob Graham of Florida; John Edwards of North Carolina, Ernest Hollings of South Carolina and Zell Miller of Georgia.

Breaux had long encouraged speculation that his career in the Senate might be coming to a close _ to the point that he announced recently that if he did choose to retire, he would finish out his present term.

Breaux was the youngest member of Congress when he was elected to the House in 1972 at the age of 28. He won his Senate seat in 1986.

Breaux was an early Democratic visitor to President-elect George W. Bush's ranch in 2000, but took himself out of consideration for a Cabinet post in a Republican administration.

His departure is expected to prompt two members of the state's House delegation to jump into the 2004 Senate race, Reps. Chris John, a Democrat, and David Vitter, a Republican.

John and Vitter both said they would announce their intentions later, preferring Monday to focus on Breaux's accomplishments.

Republicans have never won a Louisiana Senate seat since Reconstruction.

The same is not true in the other Southern Senate seats being vacated by Democrats. The retirements in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina mean the Democrats must defend a seat without benefit of an incumbent, creating an opportunity for Republicans.

Two Senate Republicans have announced plans to retire at the end of the term, Sens. Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois and Don Nickles of Oklahoma.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/121503/new_breauxno001.shtml

[Kuksool]

Ping!

It's official! There's an open Senate seat in the Bayou State.

[deport]

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

---

Is Breaux stepping down or serving out his term? None of the articles say he's stepping down at this time....

What makes you think Jindal can win statewide? He just lost a statewide race just over a month ago.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

we will not take this seat. these local LA elections always turn Dem at the last minute.

Sheesh, at least give us some hope down here....

[deport]

fyi........

[TheBigB]

Breaux says he will not step down early. If true, Vitter and John will start out on an equal footing.

[Kuksool]

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

[chiller]

At least, another Dem seat to defend and spend money on. A looney Rat is not likely to win election, maybe a centrist rat, I would think, but not a major league lefty.

However it works, put a few points in the R column.