Who SHOULD be the Democratic Leader of the U.S. Senate?

[demdiva]

I also asked this question in GD about an hour ago, but I'm curious what the Kerry Kids think. Who would you all like to see in Harry Reid's position, aka Democratic Leader of the U.S. Senate?

I'm assuming we don't want Kerry, since we want him to run again in 2008!

[globalvillage]

1. Boxer kicks ass.

Although I'm liking her as JK's running mate.

[GRLMGC]

2. Dude, honestly

I don't think there is anyone capable of whipping the Senate Dems into shape that is in the current Senate. That person needs to be ruthless and talented at getting people to do what he or she wants.

[whometense]

4. Hey

How are you? Weather the day okay? You've got a point there.

[GRLMGC]

9. I'm great (if not a little stressed out)

The weather is beyond fine ;)

In terms of this, I really want a ballbuster who knows how to punish people who make really stupid votes. Not everyone has to be in lockstep over everything, but this was important.

[whometense]

3. Durbin??

I don't know how tough he is, though.

[demdiva]

7. I think Durbin would be good

Someone also suggested him in GD and I do think he'd be good. Of course, he's the Democratic Whip right now. But, beyond that, he's got a lot more energy (aka "pluck") then Senator Reid.

[Mass]

5. Durbin

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. Durbin is the most logical choice

And he'd be a damn sight better than Reid.

[demdiva]

8. Plus he's from Illinois

ahem . . . like a certain DemDiva that I know

[WildEyedLiberal]

13. Oh my, are you referring to me?

:blush: You're too kind.

[demdiva]

21. Correction

like TWO dem divas that I know :)

[WildEyedLiberal]

26. Well now I'm curious

Who's the other?

[demdiva]

28. Me! THE DemDiva

[WildEyedLiberal]

33. Oh. Your profile says DC

I see now.

[demdiva]

34. I live in DC now

but I lived in Illinois for the first 27 years of my life and will always be an Illinoisan at heart!

[FreedomAngel82]

10. And from what I've read around here

he was the one who was supporting Kerry and trying to help.

[demdiva]

12. I wasn't sure where he stood

although I saw his vote on cloture today. It's nice to know he was behind Kerry et al.

[Mass]

16. NYTimes reported he spoke against cloture last week suring the

Democratic caucus lunch. He was also one the the very first that Kennedy named as being in in the first AP report.

[demdiva]

18. Was this the same article

that George Stephanopolous was referring to when he said Obama was rumored to have spoken out against the filibuster?

[Mass]

11. and a lot more effective in interviews,

[saracat]

14. Durbin.

[demdiva]

15. Some in GD also suggested Feingold

Thoughts?

[Mass]

17. Not sure

I like him, but I am not sure how it would play. I am not sure if he is not too independant for this role.

[karynnj]

22. He may want to run in 2008 too

I don't know why, but I kind of get the feeling that he is not really the type that would be the leader - he just seems pretty much a loner. I know very little about him - so I could be super off base.

I was going to say that he like Boxer are too extreme - But the Republicans have had Delay, Newt and Lott in leadership programs and they're extreme.

[demdiva]

24. Funny how . . .

the dems always pick members who are rather soft spoken for their leaders (null Dean) and the republicans pick leaders (null Speaker Hastert) who are power hungry. I suppose it can benefit the party to have a "leader" who lets other members rise to the top, but I'm starting to think that the Dems need a more powerful and courageous leader who will show the American people that there's some bench depth in the democratic party.

[karynnj]

19. Another Durbin vote

He is smart, seems focused and also seems to be a really nice guy. Someone posted (at the time he was in trouble for his perfectly reasonable comments on torture) that he was really Kerry first choice for VP but there was concern about having 2 Catholics.

[demdiva]

20. Interesting

I don't believe I ever heard that

[JI7]

23. i am sooooooo angry

i want to beat up a bunch of people

[demdiva]

25. Explain please :)

Us ... or still just mad about the cloture vote today?

[JI7]

32. no, i'm not mad at any of you

i love everyone here and it makes me feel better to see the posts on here.

but i have mostly been away and mostly heard about the failed filibuster from my cell phone.

i guess i'm angry at certain people going back to the 2000 elections. i spend much of that election and later getting people to support democrats because of the supreme court issue. anytime i think about those who claimed there was no difference between BUsh and Gore or Kerry or those who demanded to know if and what differences there was i just get angry. Bush said he was going to nominate someone like Scalia. and he did.

the best i can hope for is that John Roberts ends up being like Kennedy or O'Conner.

[wisteria]

30. I would like to wipe the smug looks off the faces of the repubs.

That is why I have no intention of watching tomorrow with the sound on, I will only watch for sightings of Kerry.

[demdiva]

37. We'll especially allow venting today

That's what we're here for

[FreedomAngel82]

27. What about Teddy?

[demdiva]

31. Teddy did us proud today

... but how long do we think he's sticking around the Senate? Plus, I think his liberal reputation might not be the best thing for the party.

However, next time I want to be reminded why I'm a member of the Democratic Party, I'm watching Teddy's speech from today.

[_dynamicdems]

29. I'm a Boxer fan myself or Uncle Ted if he wanted it. n/t

[jenndar]

35. Boxer, because she has a huge constituency and holds the

record for winning the most number of votes of anyone currently in the Senate.

And I think she would kick ass.

[sandrakae]

36. Boxer or Durbin.

[demdiva]

38. Goodnight Kerry Kids

Thanks for your thoughts on this and many other topics (uggg) today. It's time for me to get some sleep.