Why is Sen. Harry Reid our leader?

[Roxy66]

Seriously, I dont know the process in picking a leader in the Senate. He just doesnt seem to fit the job. Why isnt Kerry our leader ...Or Joseph Biden? How did they come to pick Harry Reid? WE NEED A STONG VOICE TO LEAD US......He was on C-Span earlier announcing their leadership for the Senate...and I'm NOT IMPRESSED.

[eissa]

1. Did I hear correctly

that Reid is anti-choice? If so, this pick is really distressing.

[iamjoy]

4. Mixed Ratings, According to VoteSmart

http://vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=S0561103

[iamjoy]

2. Nevada Is A Red State

And they hope that if he is Minority Leader he can help bring home the bacon, thus keep his Senate seat. You know, 'cos that reasoning worked so well with Tom Daschle.

They should've picked a Minority Leader who didn't have to worry so much about his seat and was free to be an attack dog. Like John Kerry, or yes, Senator Biden.

[TomClash]

3. He was minority whip

That's the no. 2 slot. When Daschle was defeated he moved up.

[Gloria]

5. Michael Sirota on Franken just reported on Reid's statements about

the legislative agenda....will agree with few, if any things the GOP present. Won't go along with privatizing SS, will now go along with restricting people's right to sue if they've been injured by doctors,etc.

Sounded strong, but the proof is when these things actually come up...

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

8. Dick Durbin is our #2

He's much more impressive as an advocate. Reid is one of those guys who knows how to work the obscure Senate parliamentary rules.

[Roxy66]

9. I like Durbin as well

He is very outspoken and expresses Democratic values in a powereful manner.

[UdoKier]

6. Because, pantywaist moderate leaders have worked out so well in the past!

Why, look how far we've come under Daschle! How could you not want more of that!

[JI7]

7. Senate Leader job is not about having a strong voice as much as

it's about knowing all the little rules and details of the senate. it's about keeping the interests of the OTHER senators of your party in mind in addition to your own state. and it's about a lot of "backroom" deals. and it's very time consuming.

[knight_of_the_star]

11. I'd think that would be better suited for the Whip

The Minority Leader is the one who is the voice of our party, and we need a STRONG voice in the Senate chamber.

[sangh0]

12. The Minority Leader is NOT the "party leader" of "the voice of the party"

If you want to know who the "party leader" and "voice of the party" is, go to the DNC's website and look up who the President (ie "leader of the party") and the Spokesperson (ie "voice of the party") for the DNC.

The Minority Leader is the person who leads the Democrats in the Senate. The ML is NOT an official position in the DNC.

[Jack The Tab]

10. Nothing like a Mormon anti-choice Democrat to lead our party..

I think he's pretty much right for today's Hill Dems taste.

Don't want to rock that boat!!! Have to get more towards the center.

[The Sad Little Pony]

13. Tom Harkin.

He'd be better.
As would Kennedy, Kerry, Leahy, etc..

[yellowdogintexas]

14. Minority Leader and whip

Ok the Minority Leader has to be good at all the machinations and detail of getting the agenda placed..the parliamentary nitpicking and so on

but the WHIP is the one who whips everybody into line and gets those votes in place...keeps the gang together...

enforces discipline, so to speak,hence the name.

By comparison, look at the R's in the House:
The Speaker isn't the one with the power and he isn't the one who is running the show..its stinking Tom Delay...the WHIP