Sunday Globe Special: Harkin Hears a Who

"Harkin has faced questions about his and his wife’s role in developing a namesake policy institute at Iowa State University. Reports have said some of its largest donors are from companies that have benefited from his policies."

But, but, but.... he's a Democrat!

"Iowa Senator Tom Harkin won’t seek 6th term" by Thomas Beaumont  |  Associated Press, January 27, 2013

CUMMING, Iowa — US Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat of Iowa, chairman of the influential Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and chairman of the largest appropriations subcommittee, said Saturday that he will not seek a sixth term in 2014, a decision that eases some of the burden the national Republican Party faces in trying to retake the Senate....

Harkin’s news defied outward signals. Besides being beloved in his party, Harkin has $2.7 million in his campaign war chest, second most among members nearing the end of their terms, and was planning a gala fund-raiser in Washington next month featuring pop star Lady Gaga....

How does that help him in Iowa?

By opening a door in Iowa, Harkin has created a potential headache for Democrats.

Democrats likely would have had the edge in 2014 with the seat, considering Harkin’s fund-raising prowess and healthy approval ratings. A poll by the Des Moines Register taken last fall showed a majority of Iowans approved of his performance.

Democrats hold a 55-45 advantage in the Senate, requiring Republicans to gain six seats to win control of the chamber.

Didn't we just have a damn rig-show fooley, I mean, selection?

But Democrats have more seats to defend in 2014 — 20 compared with 13 for Republicans. Historically, the president’s party loses seats in the midterm elections after his reelection.

The only time it didn't -- if I recall correctly -- is 2002 during George W. Bush's first term. Gains help Republicans win Senate and advance Iraq war resolution. Then -- for the only time in history -- the exit polls were wrong in his 2004 "reelection."

In West Virginia, five-term Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller recently said he would not seek reelection. And on Friday, Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss, a Republican, said that he wouldn’t seek a third term.

See: Senator Jay Rockefeller to retire

Senator’s retirement plan sets up GOP battle in Ga.

Democratic incumbents also face tough reelection races in Arkansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, and Alaska — all states carried by Republican Mitt Romney in November’s presidential election.

So the Senate is going back to the Republicans for Obama's final two years?

Harkin’s move opens a rare open Senate seat in Iowa. Harkin, Iowa’s junior senator, is outranked by Republican Charles Grassley, who won Iowa’s other seat in 1980.

Attention will turn to US Representative Bruce Braley, a four-term Democrat from Waterloo, long mentioned as a possible Harkin successor.

Harkin held open the possibility of endorsing a Democrat before the party’s primary.

Although no Republicans have stepped forward, Harkin’s news gives the GOP’s private huddles new life.

‘‘There are lots of conversations, but it’s very early still,’’ said Nick Ryan, an Iowa Republican campaign fund-raiser.

US Representative Tom Latham of Clive is a seasoned Republican representative, a veteran Appropriations Committee member, and a robust fund-raiser who has won 10 consecutive terms. He has not said whether he would run.

Since November, Harkin has stepped up his role as one of the Senate’s leading liberal populists. He was a vocal opponent last year of President Obama’s concession to lift the income threshold for higher taxes to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. Harkin instead supported raising taxes on earners making more than $250,000 a year.

He also endorsed Obama’s call for banning assault rifles and larger ammunition magazines after a Connecticut school shooting last month. 

Well, I'm not going to get into all that in this post. 

Harkin has faced questions about his and his wife’s role in developing a namesake policy institute at Iowa State University. Reports have said some of its largest donors are from companies that have benefited from his policies.

And now he is quitting?

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