Breaux Not Running?

[spotbird]

"BREAUX'S INDECISION on a fourth Senate term unnerves Democrats, already facing some incumbent exits in Republican-leaning South. While relishing his role as legislative broker, the popular Louisianan says, at age 59, "If I want to do something else with my life, this is the time to do it." He'll decide after his state's fall governor race."

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This links to a WSJ story today. Is this true? Who would run in his place?


http://www.polipundit.com/2003_07_20_polipundit_archive.html#105913840961183676

[Maddy McCall]

1. Isn't he a Republican in Dem clothing anyway?

If he's the senator I am thinking about, I say let him go and put a real democrat in.

[yankeeinlouisiana]

2. That might be harder

than you think. Breaux is really liked down here by most of the population. I really don't care for him, but he counts as one on our side.

ON EDIT: Mary Landrieu has a brother that's running for Lt. Governor (or something like that). Maybe if he doesn't win that he can run for Senate? :shrug:

[lastliberalintexas]

3. Yes and no

He's a very conservative Dem, but he has refused to give in to repub bribes for him to switch parties. He could have thrown the Senate back to the repubs after Jeffords' defection and chose not to. He deserves some credit for that.

He might think a newbie Dem could win his seat if the Gov's race goes to a Dem. I think the top contenders right now are Dem, and they could have 2 Dems in the runoff! First Landrieu in the fall of 2002, then a Dem gov in 2003, then another Dem Senate win in 2004? The tide may be turning in Louisiana faster than other Southern states. It is majority Catholic after all, and they TEND to be more moderate to liberal than the fundies.

[qandnotq]

6. What really counts is getting to 51 Senators

That gets us control of the Senate committees and Senate agenda. Breaux is very conservative for a Dem, but he's on the liberal side for Louisiana. You're never going to get a Ted Kennedy from there, so we should be happy we've at least got Breaux. Now, we can do better than Zell Miller from Georgia who really is pretty much indistinguishable from a Southern Republican. But, I'll take even him if it gets us to 51 seats and some real power.

[DagmarK]

11. He's the ALL TIME greatest recipient of Lobbyist Vacation Packages!

Good riddance!

and yes.....he is wayyyyyy too repuke......

[Pallas180]

14. my thought exactly. no big loss

:puke:

[GregW]

4. I have a problem with both LA senators

Yes, they're both Democrats ... but Breaux is definitely DINO, and Landrieu (while cute as a button) has shown she will cave when the going gets tough.

[BOSSHOG]

10. She is cute as a button however

don't believe she caves. The white house threw everything at her during her senate runoff against a gop hand selected knuckledragger. Landrieu bristled and kicked ass.

[Aaron]

15. At least they have two Dem Senators

We need to dump Smith and get another Dem in (DeFazio would be nice or Blumenauer - maybe Katz now that she's done running Portland). We're a progressive state on the west coast and we can't manage to get two Dem Senators but Louisiana can. I do wish the LA Dem's were more progressive, but if we dumped Smith and took another Senate seat or two we'd have control back and we might be able keep issues "DINO" Dem's flip on off the agenda.

[realFedUp]

5. Not many uses for a Blue dog Dem anymore

Now that the budget is busted and deficits and the
interest on them overtake the future, I don't any
use for this group.

[lastliberalintexas]

7. They still count

for caucasing purposes. Chairmanships and control of the Senate agenda anyone? If Breaux is our 51, I'll certainly take him.

[qandnotq]

8. Just try taking the Senate back without them.

It's not going to happen for the forseeable future. Would you rather be in power and have to compromise with the Blue dogs. Or be out of power so you don't have to compromise?

[DagmarK]

12. It's the exact same thing.......

Frankly, I am fed up with the alleged "compromises".

I would rather the repukes take ALL the credit from now on if they are going to rule the roost.

100% repuke congress.........and that would be the end of THAT grand ole party. And us, most likely......but at least we would have to be TORTURED constantly.

[realFedUp]

13. well, since you put it THAT way....

a lukewarm Dem body is better than a stone cold Republican one any day.

[SoCalDem]

9. Georgie probably has a cabinet position seaved for him

Rememeber how hard he tried to get him to jump from the senate so the pubbies take his place??

He did not do it then but now that the senate is already repub, he may just figure that he might as well take a Bush appointment if the offer is still there.. We all know how Bush loves to crow about being bipartisan,,,Breaux might fill the bill :(

[amazona]

16. oh for cryin' out loud

This is not the damn time to do something else with your life, Senator. For pity's sake.

I will be writing a letter this weekend. And I hope other Louisiana residents will consider doing the same.

Yes, he is more conservative than I would like but there is an issue of having to satisfy the northern part of the state and the anti-abortion elements state-wide.

Sigh.

He has a lifetime seat. Why give that up? If even the conservative Democrats are cutting and running, then it is time to be afraid.