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Who would you see as a possible successor to Tom Harkin?
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U.S. Reps. Tom Latham and Bruce Braley are seen as the early front-runners in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.
However, GOP leaders and insiders are uncertain Latham, a 10-term House member, is interested in giving up his seniority to run for the Senate.
There’s little doubt Braley, 55, will consider running for the Senate seat even though he said Friday he’s planning to run for re-election in northeast Iowa’s 1st District.
“But things can change,” he added.
And they did Saturday when Harkin, a five-term Democrat, announced he would retire at the end of his current six-year term rather than seek re-election in 2014. His retirement sets up the first open-seat Senate race in Iowa since Democrat John Culver defeated Republican David Stanley in 1974.
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad quickly closed the door on any talk of him seeking a move from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. But keep Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ name, at least in pencil, on the list for the time being. Reynolds said she was flattered to see her name included as a possible 2014 senatorial candidate, admitting that she has received encouragement from supporters and indicated she is keeping her options open.
Who do you see as as a possible Harkin successor? Could it be Braley, Latham or Reynolds, or perhaps someone else not on this list?
I’m surprised that there is no mention of Steve King in this write-up. I’m quite sure he will run and I think he has a good chance at winning the nomination. Then, I expect Bruce Braley to win in the general election.
While I respect Latham as a good representation, he is one of a dying breed, a moderate Republican.
If the Branstad Machine wants Reynolds, that’s who will get the GOP nod. King’s “base” is far inferior in political clout to that of the well-distributed Branstad faction.
Either way, the Dems would have to nominate a real clunker to lose this Senate seat in the general election. Braley would walk all over either King or Reynolds in the heavily-populated eastern part of the state. It might be a narrow victory statewide, but it would be a victory, nonetheless.
Furthermore, if the Republicans nominate Lange again for the 1st district the Democrats will be able to nominate just about anyone and win.
Gawd, the lovefest sweetness between you two is making my teeth hurt.
I would love to see someone who actually lives in Iowa, someone who reads the legislation in front of them before voting, someone who takes out the pork on a disaster relief bill, someone who is fiscally responsible, who doesn’t have a family member who is a lobbyist, someone that can resist financially rewarded themselves, someone that believes in smaller government rather than growing a larger more corrupt one like we see now.
Lastly, someone that keeps in mind the hard working people they represent.
So what Democrat do you favor. When you indicated that you wanted a Senator that “keeps in mind hard working people” we know you can’t support a Republican. They only keep the wealthy in mind and they confirm that almost daily. Note today’s news about a Republican proposing a flat tax option to further cut taxes for the wealthy.
Keep dreaming. Democrat or Republican, we won’t get somebody like that.
Our campaign finance system ensures that won’t be the case. There are no Harry Truman’s any more. Politics is a hobby of the rich and famous (or their lackeys).
That being said, the seat is Braley’s to lose, even though it is going to be a midterm election. As for Republicans… Whatever happened to Jim Nussle? I can’t think of anyone else who could really give Braley a run for his money, although Reynolds remains a bit of an unknown.
Sue, it sounds like your wanting Tom Vilsack, to run for the Senate.