Death Toll Revised Down to 24 After Monstrous Oklahoma Tornado…100+ Injured…Children Among the Dead…Stunning Pictures…Woman Finds Dog During Interview!

WATCH on TheBlaze TV: Latest Updates on Tornado Aftermath, Including Updates From Glenn Beck in Oklahoma

Politics

Surprise Announcement: Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin Won’t Seek Re-Election

Jan. 26, 2013 11:15am Madeleine Morgenstern

Getty Images

CUMMING, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin will not seek re-election in 2014, the Iowa Democrat said Saturday.

The 73-year-old Harkin told The Associated Press in an interview, “It’s just time to step aside,” noting that by the time he would finish a sixth term, he would be 81.

Harkin said the move also would allow a new generation of Democrats to seek higher office.

The announcement comes as a surprise, considering he had $2.7 million in his campaign war chest and was planning a gala fundraiser in Washington, D.C., next month.

Harkin is a leading liberal in the Senate, chairing the health, education, labor and pensions committee and having served as a key salesman of President Barack Obama’s 2010 health care bill to the wary left.

No Iowa Republicans have taken formal steps toward seeking the seat.

Harkin’s decision eases the burden on the GOP, who have to gain six seats to win the majority in the Senate. The president’s party historically loses seats in the midterm elections after his re-election. Obama, a Democrat, was re-elected last year.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (98)

FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:50pm
Good! Every one of these old fossils ought to retire. It’s sickening these people get into Congress for so many terms. Crooks, the lot of them.

This nation has 311 million people in it. There is no reason on God’s green Earth we should have the same representative, senator, president or federal/supreme judge more than once. There are hoards of good and decent citizens capable of responsibly doing the people’s business.

I say amend the Constitution. Amend it to make all of those positions 3-year terms. And include a 1-term limit. Further, once a servant has completed his/her 3-year term, they are banned from any communication with current members AND banned within 50 miles of Washington, D.C. To violate those terms is a felony that carries a mandatory 25-year prison sentence with no chance of early release.

Congress was meant to be filled with citizens from our communities, people who represent those communities, and people who, when finished, return to those communities. It was not meant to be filled with professional lawyers and activists who spend a lifetime making corrupt deals, only to retire with obscene amounts of ill-gotten riches.

Who is with me?

P.S. We should also have a LOT more representatives in the House to correspond with our growth in population. And Congress should be a part-time job. And all Congressional duties should be assigned randomly, too. But those are topics for another time.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- SLAPTHELEFT
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:36pm
  Now he can sit back with his pension and admire the wreckage he created.
  
  Thanks a lot Iowa.
  
  Report this comment
- drs1969
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 2:52pm
  If congress’ growth had kept up with Population since 1913, we’d have at least 5000 members. It would be over 6000 going back to the beginning!
  Even George Will wrote about this years ago.
  
  Report this comment
- drs1969
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:25pm
  To have kept up w/ pop. growth, Congress should have 5000 to 6000 members!
  
  Report this comment
- sillyfreshness
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:30pm
  Good. About time that Marxist hits the road. Don’t let the door hit ya where God split ya.
  
  Report this comment
- hypnos
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:35pm
  Thank God. One less barnacle on the ship.
  
  Report this comment
- mlite9
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:27pm
  I would add that while amending said Constitution, pensions for public “servants” should be done away with as well. Wanna talk disparity, start there.
  
  Report this comment
- 226crimsontrace
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:19pm
  SLAPTHELEFT
  As a life long Iowan, I apologize for the fecal matter that goes by the name harkin. Though I would like to add that we also have a dinosaur named Grassley who voted for thee Patriot Act, NDAA, Every war that a Bush could imagine, ethenol subsidies and windmill subsidies. Come to think of it, I’ll bet your state has a couple self-entitled pansies that have done nothing their entire life but “PUBLIC SERVICE”
  So SLAPTHLEFT, thanx for your worthless drivel, and stupid comment
  
  Report this comment
- sndrman
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 7:02pm
  sounds good, but not so fast…..the next crop of democrats coming up are not old time democrats but the new crop is socilaists/communists like bo hussain…………..unless we get a good solid Conservative,not a rino or roberts (scotus) kinda guy who’s main goal is to “reach across the isle to work with democrats”………….never hear dems say they wanna reach across the isle to work with republicans funny how that works huih?
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 7:35pm
  He doesn’t want to get hung with the rest of those losers.
  
  Report this comment
- FloraBelleza
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 10:34pm
  He is afraid that when the country collapse, he don’t want to be blame for. This guy spend 30 years of his life destroy this great nation, now after all this years he said he is to old, I believe he just doesn’t’ need any more money, after to became a very rich man. How come those people from Iowa been so blind after all this years and don’t realize that politicians that spend so many years in power, they all became lies and corrupts. I want to find out after he’s died, if he would be happy that most of his money go to the government, and not to his family, I mean, that is what Democrats want right? Only if this rule applied for rich Republicans, and not for rich Liberals. Well, good luck senator, and thanks for all this years to contribute to destroy our new generation and the future of America.
  
  Report this comment
- Trigus
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:18am
  This is not a surprise announcement – The Giant is Awake and he is pissed – These liberal leftist in Congress have no shot at getting re-elected. So, to save face they are not running. You never leave the gravy train unless you need to save face.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama_In_PeePee_Is_Becks_Art
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:59am
  “Surprise Announcement: Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin Won’t Seek Re-Election”
  
  You can run but you can’t hide. For your treason against America and her Liberty, you will be held accountable … and your little dog (Obama) too:
  
  “DICTATORSHIP PLAN For America 2012!! :: Glenn Beck Names The TRAITORS & Exposes Their CONSPIRACY!!”
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAu_-UmERuo
  
  Report this comment
- Maji
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:33pm
  Once he’s screwed and pilaged everyone and no one will trust him…now he leaves!!
  
  Report this comment
jessieH
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:46pm
Great news but don’t let him go too far. He just moght be guilty of treason, once the trials start.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ladyjk
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:04pm
  I do hope you are right with trials, but I don’t see that happening. Harkin should have been out when he lied about his Vietnam record!! So many died, were maimed, etc. and this guy told lies about his “historic” Vet record.
  
  Report this comment
- db321
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:04pm
  I hear you Jessieh
  
  It is a little funny watching the Rats jump off the ship.
  
  Report this comment
- Chromo200
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:36pm
  you would have to extradite him from the one of the Caribbean islands where he has his permanent home .. He has a small place in Iowa just to say he is an Iowan.
  
  Good riddance for a socialist that Iowans could not get rid of.
  
  Report this comment
Tom70
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:34pm
good riddance to bad rubbish guess he can’t stand the commie ether

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- hatchetjob
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:52pm
  I wonder if Harkin expects us to miss him? Not bloody likely.
  
  Report this comment
mtsnj
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:32pm
More old timers need to step down..it’s not suppose to be a career

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
noslave
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:25pm
they want to get as far away when the obamacare, 12 million illegals get anisty?,vote on gun control?,etc. under this child king obammy,even hillary knew when to run away,before the lynching starts??

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
DZ-015
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:25pm
Harkin back to the dung heap of history.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
woowoo8
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:19pm
Go ahead; slink off into the night like others have done. Soon “the Light of this World” will expose you and your deeds will be illuminated and shouted from the rooftops.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Amazingoly
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:02pm
Another who won’t be missed. Hope Durbin follows.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:08pm
  How about this? What’s up with this blaze?http://cavnews.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/obama-to-shut-down-southern-air-defense-systems-it-will-be-open-season-for-terrorists-flying-in-with-nukes-low-altitude-missiles-or-even-full-scale-invasion-of-america/
  
  Report this comment
- spirited
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:08pm
  Yes; pray ta God
  
  Report this comment
338lapua
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:58am
This is a guy who does not want to be held responsible when the SHTF. Obamacare has already begun to colapse under its own weight, DIFI and her little gun ban,etc,etc. COWARD!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- pavepaws
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:49pm
  @civilwarcometh Sounds like Red Dawn
  
  Report this comment
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:57pm
  Does don’t it..http://commieblaster.com/
  
  Report this comment
skyguy51
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:58am
So sad, I was waiting for him to say more stuff like he did about the government “giving us our rights” when the debate was on for Obamacare. One less twit in the ruling class.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
nocalifornia
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:57am
He just figures he can do as much damage as he likes to the Country and the Constitution over the next 6 years.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
GoodStuff
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:56am
“Obama, a Democrat, was re-elected last year.”

No Shiite.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bannedfromCNN
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:53am
Good riddance.

With love,

The people of Iowa.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ladyjk
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:10pm
  Glad to see one Iowan with a heart. Harkin should have been out when he lied about his Vietnam record. So many gave so much for their country and then politicians like Harkin tell lies and take credit for their “great” service which never happened. Ditto, good riddance. Now that it has come to light regarding Dirty Harry Reid’s bribery inklings Harkin is probably getting outta town fast.
  
  Report this comment
Micmac
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:39am
The party of old whites guys making off with millions of the public’s monies.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- 338lapua
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:56am
  That IS funny!
  
  Report this comment
- joey g
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:01pm
  right.did his damage to our country …now off to enjoy his utopia …while we get stuck with the bill..
  
  good fn riddence to a real pos
  
  Report this comment
dosdelgados
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:38am
“A new generation of Democrats…”

Read: Entitled Marxist academic elitists dead set on furthering the destruction of our nation.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Fubared
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:55am
  Exactly. Well said and brevity is under rated.
  
  Report this comment
the bean
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:37am
This is one of several greasy rats slithering off the sinking ship……was it Rockefeller last week and a GOP sen earlier this week. They know the end game is playing out and want to be as far away from DC as the can when the SHTF.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Rock_Moninoff
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:37am
Now just retire and die you old socialist.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
CatB
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:29am
“The announcement comes as a surprise, considering he had $2.7 million in his campaign war chest and was planning a gala fundraiser in Washington, D.C., next month.”

yes .. and I believe he gets to keep that money .. on top of his pay for the rest of his life and other perks paid from by the taxpayers .. nice little nest egg.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- joey g
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:22pm
  mabe just mabe …he has cancer….and is wants to die a rich man…
  
  Report this comment
jcldwl
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:28am
“Obama, a Democrat, was re-elected last year.”
Do they really think they needed to add the above last line to the story?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Baldbarian
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:45am
  That line was for the Low Information Voters or as I call them DimLibs (dimwit Liberals)
  
  Report this comment
jmmjr49er
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:27am
Senator Dung Heep will leave DC as a Multi-Millionaire. Good work for an old white guy.

So classy!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
jcldwl
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:25am
Good news, but is he doing this so he can vote for the gun bill without worry of reelection. What do they have waiting in the wings behind him. If I remember correctly there were several democrats willing to lose their seats to get Obama Care through. Is he just leading the way for others to do the same?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
progressiveslayer
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:21am
Done enough damage huh? Tired of the bribes and your conscience maybe getting to you? Not to worry there’s always another statist eager to get rich being a ‘public servant’.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- CatB
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 12:45pm
  “conscience maybe getting to you?”
  
  I doubt it .. seems to be a job requirement not to have one. ;-) one down .. many more to go!
  
  Report this comment
bigbear_awake
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:20am
we need to change wd from the outside
http://www.americaagainnow.com/aa_legislative_action

As you see, once We The People achieve the 19 reforms listed above, We The People will be more free than we’ve been in 150 years — to prosper and produce, to enjoy God’s blessings in the most unique republic on earth, and to arrest the hijacking of our lives, liberties, property, and rule of law

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
tonypro
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:19am
Must be time to bring in a communist for barry.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- gyro
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:22am
  sad sad true
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:58am
  Agree. Harkin probably didn’t float Far enough Left for the Chicago radicals and their Far Left , internationalist agenda.
  
  Report this comment
bankerpapaw
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:18am
Hooray!! One less America hating A.H. gone from Washington.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.