Senators Up For Re-election

The United States Senate is made up of two Senators from each state and presided over by the Vice President of the United States. Every two years approximately 1/3 of the Senate comes up for re-election. In 2010 we will elect/re-elect 34 Senators.

When we elect a Senator, we, in GUNNER’S VIEW, should look at certain basic criteria before getting into the issues themselves. First, no Senator should serve for more than 12 consecutive years. By taking root in Washington they’re no longer really working for their constituents, but instead they’re working for themselves. Second, no Senator should serve beyond age 75. They lose mental acuity, health goes downhill, and they’re no longer what we want or need. Third, Senators serving due to nepotism or cronyism need to be removed. Fourth, our politicians need to be above reproach. No scandal, no criminals, no perception of misdeeds or malfeasance. Fifth, no professional politicians. Sixth, they should have served the Nation in some thankless profession first (i.e. military, Peace Corps, VISTA, Public Health Service, Assistant District Attorney or Public Defender, cop, etc.)

I do not intend to discuss the issues addressed by these 34 man and women, only how they fit in my basic criteria. Issues are something that you, and you alone, need to decide on.
Now I know that finding someone who meets all of that criteria will be tough. But you know what, you’re the employer and you get what you pay for. If you’ll settle for second or third best than you deserve what you get. And, yes, I know there are exceptions to my rules, so go find those men and women and send them to Washington.

Here are the 34 and how they fit under my rules:

Bayh, Evan (D-IN): Will have 12 years in Senate at the end of this term. He’s a professional politician, whose has only worked outside of politics for 5 of the past 27 years. His father is former Senator Birch Bayh. Do not re-elect this man.

Bennet, Michael F. (D-CO): He was APPOINTED, in 2009, to the Senate to fill the term of Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazer. A professional politician, he’s worked a total of 6 years in the private sector. Nepotism – you tell me. His Dad was an Assistant Secretary of State in the Clinton Administration and was the Head of USAID in the Carter Administration. His grandfather was an Economic Advisor to FDR. Do not re-elect this man.

Bennett, Robert F. (R-UT): Will have 18 years in Senate at the end of this term. His father is former Senator Wallace F. Bennett. He’s already 75. Do not re-elect this man.

Bond, Christopher S. (R-MO): Will have 24 years in Senate at the end of this term. Will turn 75 in his “next” term. Has announced he will not run for re-election. Do not re-elect this man.

Boxer, Barbara (D-CA): Will have 18 years in Senate at the end of this term. Grandson is Hlllary Clinton’s nephew. Will turn 75 in her “next” term. Do not re-elect this woman.

Brownback, Sam (R-KS): Will have 14 years in Senate at the end of this term. Has announced he will not run for re-election. Do not re-elect this man.

Bunning, Jim (R-KY): Will have 12 years in Senate at the end of this term. He’s already 77. Do not re-elect this man.

Burr, Richard (R-NC): To the best of my knowledge, Senator Burr meets all of my criteria, with the exception of number six. Re-elect this man.

Burris, Roland W. (D-IL): APPOINTED to fill the unexpired term of President Barak Obama. Appointed by a Governor who was impeached and will probably be incarcerated. Under Investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee and the Sangamon County, IL State’s Attorney. Will turn 75 in his next term. Do not re-elect this man.

Coburn, Tom (R-OK): To the best of my knowledge, Senator Coburn meets all of my criteria, with the exception of number six. Re-elect this man.

Crapo, Mike (R-ID): Will have 12 years in Senate at the end of this term. Do not re-elect this man.

DeMint, Jim (S-SC): To the best of my knowledge, Senator DeMint meets all of my criteria, with the exception of number six. Re-elect this man.

Dodd, Christopher J. (D-CT): Will have 30 years in Senate at the end of this term. Son of US Senator Thomas J. Dodd. Brother was a US Ambassador in Clinton Administration. Do not re-elect this man.

Dorgan, Byron L. (D-ND): Will have 18 years in Senate at the end of this term. Has already served 12 years in the House of Representatives. Do not re-elect this man.

Feingold, Russell D. (D-WI): Will have 18 years in Senate at the end of this term. Do not re-elect this man.

Grassley, Chuck (R-IA): Will have 30 years in Senate at the end of this term. Already 75 years old. Do not re-elect this man.

Gregg, Judd (R-NH): Will have 18 years in Senate at the end of this term. Do not re-elect this man.

Inouye, Daniel K. (D- HI): Will have 48 years in Senate at the end of this term. Already 84 years old. Do not re-elect this man. Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star w/V, Purple Heart.

Isakson, Johnny (R-GA): To the best of my knowledge, Senator Isakson meets all of my criteria. Re-elect this man.

Leahy, Patrick J. (D-VT): Will have 36 years in Senate at the end of this term. Will become 75 years old during his next term. Do not re-elect this man.

Lincoln, Blanche L. (D-AR): Will have 12 years in Senate at the end of this term. Do not re-elect this woman.

Martinez, Mel (R-FL): To the best of my knowledge, Senator Martinez meets all of my criteria, with the exception of number six. Has announced he will not run for re-election. Re-elect this man.

McCain, John (R-AZ): Will have 24 years in the Senate at the end of this term. Will turn 75 years of age in his next term. Do not re-elect this man. I have met John McCain, both socially and in the Navy. I find him to be both arrogant and obnoxious. That being said, he MAY be one of the exceptions to my criteria. But that’s a decision his employers in AZ need to make. Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star w/V, Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal w/V, POW Medal.

Mikulski, Barbara A. (D-MD): Will have 24 years in the Senate at the end of this term. Will turn 75 years of age in her next term. Do not re-elect this woman. I was one of her constituents. I am tired of seeing her take credit, just to get re-elected, for things she had little or nothing to do with! (i.e. Vet Centers and VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics in MD.)

Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK): Senator Murkowski is, in GUNNER’S VIEW, the Queen of Nepotism. Her father, Senator Frank Murkowski was elected Governor of AK. He apparently did not resign from the Senate until AFTER he was inaugurated as Governor. That left a vacancy in the Senate, which the Governor could fill, so he appointed his daughter! Do not re-elect this woman.

Murray, Patty (D-WA): Will have 18 years in Senate at the end of this term. Do not re-elect this woman. I have worked with Patty Murray, in her role on the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs. I found her to be refreshing, knowledgeable and caring. That being said, she MAY be one of the exceptions to my criteria. But that’s a decision her employers in WA need to make.

Reid, Harry (D-NV): Will have 24 years in Senate at the end of this term. Will turn 75 years of age in his next term. Do not re-elect this man.

Schumer, Charles E. (D-NY): Will have 12 years in Senate at the end of this term. Has 18 years in House of Representatives. Professional politician since age 23. Do not re-elect this man.

Shelby, Richard C. (R-AL): Will have 24 years in Senate at the end of this term. Is already 75 years of age. Do not re-elect this man.

Specter, Arlen (D-PA): Will have 30 years in Senate at the end of this term. Is already 79 years of age. Do not re-elect this man. I have worked with Mr. Specter, in his role on the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs. I found him to be knowledgeable but not particulary caring. That being said, I find it degrading that the People of PA elected him as a Republican, but when the wind blew against him, he ignored his employers wishes and jumped ship.

Thune, John (R-SD): To the best of my knowledge, Senator Thune meets all of my criteria, except item 6. Re-elect this man.

Vitter, David (R-LA): To the best of my knowledge, Senator Vitter meets all of my criteria, except item 6. Re-elect this man.

Voinovich, George V. (R-OH): Will have only 11 years in the Senate at the end of this term. However, he is a professional politician and will turn 75 during his next term. Do not re-elect this man.

Wyden, Ron (D-OR): Will have 14 years in Senate at the end of this term. He is a professional politician. Do not re-elect this man.

Barak Obama was elected to the Presidency on a campaign of change. Well if we really want change, than of the 34 Senators up for re-election, than 26 – and possibly 28 – of these Senators need to be changed. Unfortunately, neither of my Senators are up for re-election this year, and both of them need to go too!

However, this is simply GUNNER’S VIEW. You elect who you want, but in most cases, you or your spouse or your next door neighbor can do at least as good a job, and probably better, then the incumbent. If you want change, than you have to make changes.

God Bless the United States Senate.
Gunner Sends.