NYT: Dem Hard Chargers (Schumer and Emanuel) Try to Return Party to Power

[DeepModem Mom]

Democratic Hard Chargers Try to Return Party to Power
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: April 30, 2006

WASHINGTON, April 29 — They are fast-talking, hard-charging, wisecracking graduates of two of the most punishing political training grounds in the nation. Representative Rahm Emanuel of Chicago and Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York are loud, garrulous urban brawlers: a blur of endlessly quotable attack lines, opportunistic legislative proposals, relentless fund-raising and big-shoulder tactics.

Mr. Emanuel is the head of the Democratic campaign committee in the House, and Mr. Schumer has the same job in the Senate. And the Democratic Party this year is counting on them more than anyone to return the party to power in what is shaping up to be the most competitive midterm Congressional election in 12 years.

To their supporters, they are energetic and creative — just the jolt Democrats need to end their period out of power.

"They have the party by the neck and they are shaking it," said James Carville, who met Mr. Emanuel in the 1992 presidential campaign for Bill Clinton. Even Richard Bond, a former Republican National Committee chairman, described them as "both brilliant at what they are doing: they are performing the way party leadership ought to perform."

To their critics they are shameless self-promoters who will do anything — Mr. Emanuel recited a mock "How do I love thee" sonnet from Republicans to lobbyists on the House floor on Thursday — in search of a headline....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/washington/30dems.html