I think its safe to say the filubuster reform(or lack of) was the last straw for Harkin

[bigdarryl]

So you can blame Reid for Senator Harkins retirement.

[frazzled]

1. It's not one of the reasons he gives in his official statement

And he's been through worse in the Senate than that, I wager:

“I have been thinking hard about the decision whether to run for a sixth term in the United States Senate for a number of months - even more these last few weeks. I’ve reached a decision, and what I’ve decided really boils down to two things,” said Harkin. “First, I’m going to fulfill a promise that I made to my wife Ruth, and that I also made to myself. It's a promise that we’re going to do certain things together - and that we’re going to live together in a way we’ve often talked about - before it gets too late. That’s a decision I believe many Iowans can relate to, either because of their own circumstances, or perhaps those of their parents. I have the privilege to be able to make this decision on my own terms, which not everyone can, and I’m deeply grateful to the people of Iowa that I do have that opportunity. I’ve been extremely fortunate. I was born here in Cumming in modest circumstances. My father was a coal-miner with just an 8th-grade education. My mother arrived to this country as an immigrant with virtually no earthly possessions. This state and this country have allowed me to enjoy a life and career beyond anything I imagined as a boy or young man.

“Second, I'm 73 years old right now. At the end of this term I’ll be 75. When the current Congress is over, I will have served in the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for a total of 40 years. After 40 years, I just feel it’s somebody else’s turn. I can’t put into words what an honor it is to serve Iowa. And I don’t by any means plan to retire completely from public life at the end of this Congress. But I am going to make way for someone new in this Senate seat. I think that is right not just for me, but for Iowa, as well.”

More, including what he hopes to accomplish in the next 2 years at:

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/read-harkins-full-statement-on-2014-retirement

[Laurian]

3. I wouldn't expect him to put that in his official statement,

but I do believe it must have factored into his decision. I know that as I have gotten older, I find it more difficult to tolerate time consuming bullshit and disingenuous blather. With Reid's cave on the filibuster rule change, there will continue to be lots of time consuming bullshit and disingenuous blather in the Senate with few results. I don't blame Senator Harkin for deciding not to participate in this exercise in futility.

All the best to Senator Harkin. I hope he has a long and happy retirement.

[frazzled]

4. I would expect him to put it in the statement, for two reasons

(1) He's one of the most straight-talking, unabashed members of the Senate, and he's never shied away from stating his strong opinions in the past
(2) Other senators who have retired over the past few years, who are far less outspoken than Senator Harkin, have cited the dysfunction of the Senate as reasons for their retirement.

[LiberalFighter]

8. Bayh was one of those and he was useless.

[onenote]

2. I think its safe to say that is your opinion

and nothing more than your opinion.

[nobodyspecial]

5. Wow, you can read minds

He does not make any mention of it but of course it must be true because you say so.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. Or, this is a man who will be pushing 80 in 2014, who's been in the senate for almost half his life.

He just might, you know, want to retire.

[Cha]

11. Harkin would have pushed through 80 and on

to 81 if he ran in 2014. He's 73 now.

It's obviously not Reid's fault that he only had 47 votes for the ultimate filibuster reform but that doesn't stop those who need to use him as their Punching bag.

[LiberalFighter]

7. He is a better man for that to be the reason for retiring.

Any blame for the filibuster belongs on the heads of the 7 Democrats that would not support the Udall/Merkley/Harkin reform.

It doesn't do any good to have a vote if it will be defeated. Even with the purpose of all of them on the record. That dooms the alternative because then the Republicans don't see the major reform as a threat when it goes down.

[Ian Iam]

9. Agreed

And I suspect he's far from the only American disgusted with the senate.

[Cha]

10. That's bullcrap and you must know it..or not. Bernie Sanders: "Reid had only 47 Votes

on Filibuster Reform"." That's from the Ed Show. Those who continue to use Harry Reid as a punching bag are only showing their ignorance of the facts.

Harkin on why he's retiring..

CUMMING, Iowa — Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin says he will not seek re-election in 2014.

The 73-year-old Harkin tells The Associated Press in an interview, "It's just time to step aside," because by the time he would finish a sixth term, he would be 81.

Harkin said it would also 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 fundraiser next month.

Harkin played a lead role in urging the Senate's more liberal members to back the 2010 health care bill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/26/tom-harkin-retiring_n_2557708.html

Tom Harkin would be "81" if he were to run in 2014. Not everyone is Sen Frank Lautenberg

[dsc]

12. No he would be 81 at the end of that term

which is quite a bit of difference.

[Cha]

13. Sorry, that's what meant but didn't write it clear enough..

Tom Harkin is 73 now.. he would be 81 at the end of his term if he were to run in 2014.