Stopping veteran Dem retirements is top priority for Reid, Schumer

[DonViejo]

By Alexander Bolton - 11/25/12 06:00 AM ET

One of the highest immediate political priorities for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Democratic political guru Charles Schumer (N.Y.) is to persuade veteran colleagues not to retire in 2014.

Democratic sources identify four senators as most likely to retire: Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).

Another possible veteran retirement is Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), who has yet to announce his decision. But Democratic aides expect him to run again.

Democrats would have a tough time defending their seats in West Virginia and South Dakota without incumbents running. Iowa, a blue-leaning state that gave President Obama a six-point victory over Mitt Romney, is a competitive race that slightly favors Democrats and New Jersey is a safe bet to stay in their column. Michigan resembles Iowa in that it leans Democratic but a strong Republican candidate could capture the seat if Levin leaves.

read more:
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/269143-stopping-veteran-dem-retirements-is-top-priority-for-reid-and-schumer

[Lionessa]

1. Don't know what your issue with Reid is, but I do know this...

None of those seats will be a problem for a new Dem to win if Harry Reid will focus on getting the pertinent policies through his Dem Senate. Fair taxes, fair education, fair income, fair entitlements, etc., all of which might be possible if he first and foremost gets the filibuster rules changed.

[DonViejo]

4. Who has an issue with Senator Reid? nt

[BlueCaliDem]

5. I agree. Policies, not politicians, is key to winning more seats and keeping

power.

When the people FEEL you're going to DC to work on behalf of them, not against them; that you're willing to pass policies to help make their lives better . . . they will vote for you. Well, those with more than half a working brain, that is (TeaBaggers not included).

The shellacking the Democrats suffered in 2010, I believe, is because congressional Democrats, despite their majorities, were acting weak or more like Republicans, and were allowing the Republicans to have too much power that they were able to water down strong Democratic bills, like a strong public option.

When Americans watched the lackluster performance by congressional Democrats, and they felt jilted, they decided to return the favor - not knowing, of course, the repercussions in the form of redistricting that will make it harder for Democrats to win back the House. This was a clear case, although unintended, of cutting one's nose to spite one's face. The only really good thing that came out of the shellacking was, the Democratic Party got a major wake-up call and spines began to grow. Let's hope these are not anomalies, but spines that'll stay awhile.

[Coyotl]

2. Targeting the Rs in 2014

AL Jeff Sessions
GA Saxby Chambliss
ID Jim Risch
KS Pat Roberts
KY Mitch McConnell
MS Thad Cochran
NE Mike Johanns
OK Jim Inhofe
SC Lindsey Graham
TX John Cornyn
TN Lamar Alexander
WY Mike Enzi

[GoCubsGo]

6. Graham's seat is definitely a possiblilty.

The real wingnuts hate him. He will likely get primaried. Unfortunately, it will be by a teabagger. Who wins that primary, and who wins the general will all depend on who gets out and votes. If lots of Dems show up for the general, it could be a good year for South Carolina regardless of who the rethugs run. Nikki Haley's term is also ending, and she is not well-loved here, either. Not even by her own party. Get a couple of good Dems running, and we might be in for a couple of pick-ups.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. Is Park Overall up for another shot at a seat in TN in 2014?

Also, how's the draft Ashley Judd movement going? She's coming her to Indy this week for a Planned Parenthood event. I would love to see her take out McConnell! Got anybody possibly teed up in Texas. We have to be able to win a Senate seat there someday, right?

[Coyotl]

11. Texas is a possible. Mitch McConnell is also a possible, especially if they obstruct for 2 more yrs

What kind of legislation is presented in the next two years will impact the results. Immigration, minimum wage, women's issues, these all can have a big impact on party perceptions.

[Mass]

3. Better idea. Find younger people to take their place if they want to retire.

And, if you cant, ask yourself why? It is not the sign of a vibrant party if you cant find somebody to run for the Senate in a blue state like New Jersey.


All these guys (except Tim Johnson) are 70 +. Lautenberg is 88. They have earned the right to retirement if they want. But Schumer is lazy.

[Lionessa]

7. lI don't support such an ageist perspective. Progressive not necessarily young.

[No Vested Interest]

8. RE Levin and Michigan-

Is Jennifer Granholm a realistic possibility to run for Levin's spot?
I'm an Ohioan and don't have a good feel for how she is seen in Michigan.
She sure delivered at the Dem. convention, and appearances on TV have been positive.
Or could she fill one of the upcoming vacancies in Pres. Obama's Cabinet?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. Lautenberg should probably retire (88 y.o.)

If he dies or becomes incapacitated while in office (assuming Christie gets re-elected), Christie will get to appoint his successor. Democrats should be able to find a good replacement candidate for Lautenberg IMHO and NJ is a pretty blue state anyway. We will probably lose WV if Rockefeller retires and probably SD if Johnson retires. I would imagine we could keep Michigan and Iowa seats blue as long as Democratic turnout is high enough and the DSCC finds some good candidates with cross-party appeal.

[Coyotl]

12. DSCC is not who picks the candidates, albeit they do recruit

locals usually pick the best candidates anyway