Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, said today he would not seek a 6th term.
He was first elected to the US Senate in 1974.
I like & respect Leahy.
But that is frankly ridiculous.
I'm 60.
1974 was the year I was bar mitzvah'd.
In 1974, even touch-tone phones were a novelty.
—>
He was first elected to the US Senate in 1974.
I like & respect Leahy.
But that is frankly ridiculous.
I'm 60.
1974 was the year I was bar mitzvah'd.
In 1974, even touch-tone phones were a novelty.
—>
2/ I know all the arguments for & against term limits.
But the idea that a single person (a man — VT has never sent a woman to either the US House or Senate) could hold one of a state's Senate seats from age 34 to age 81, across decades of change, seems wrong.
Undemocratic.
But the idea that a single person (a man — VT has never sent a woman to either the US House or Senate) could hold one of a state's Senate seats from age 34 to age 81, across decades of change, seems wrong.
Undemocratic.
3/ The top 10 longest serving Senators were all in the Senate for 40 years or more.
Not much drop-off after that.
The top 20 longest serving Senators were all in the Senate for 36 years or more.
That's essentially a whole work life in the Senate.
senate.gov/senators/longe…
Not much drop-off after that.
The top 20 longest serving Senators were all in the Senate for 36 years or more.
That's essentially a whole work life in the Senate.
senate.gov/senators/longe…
4/ (Especially if you factor in college + law school.)
Yes they all won re-election over and over.
But fresh energy, fresh perspective, fresh expertise, immersion in the current currents of American life — those things are vital to good political leadership.
Good democracy.
Yes they all won re-election over and over.
But fresh energy, fresh perspective, fresh expertise, immersion in the current currents of American life — those things are vital to good political leadership.
Good democracy.
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