Sen. Durbin is birddogging McConnell to determine strategy

[babylonsister]

Reid surrogate Durbin shadows McConnell
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 07/08/09 07:24 PM


Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has taken the job of shadowing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), mimicking a strategy from the National Football League, where teams often assign a “spy” linebacker to key on the opponent’s offensive threat.

McConnell’s staff says they have noticed Durbin taking a more forceful approach against the Republican leader in recent weeks, culminating in a pointed reproach of McConnell on the Senate floor this week.

Durbin acknowledged his new role in an interview Wednesday, saying he decided to birddog the GOP leader after noticing McConnell stepping up attacks against Democratic healthcare reform proposals and the majority’s decision to close the Guantánamo Bay detention camp.

But there may be another reason for his new defensive assignment. By checking McConnell, as well as other Republicans, on the floor, Durbin has given important political cover to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who faces reelection in 2010 and has struggled with low approval ratings in a state that has often voted for Republican candidates.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/durbin-keys-mcconnell-on-field-of-play-2009-07-08.html

[mark olson]

1. Reid is in trouble in Nevada big time. Negatives are high. NT

[jwirr]

3. Okay so he is in trouble in his state BUT with who? Are his ratings low

with pugs or his own party? That makes a world of difference. If it is with pugs then he is doing the right thing for our party and Nevada is just reverting to its usual red state attitude but if it is the other way around then he is in trouble for not doing enough to further President Obama's programs.

[Mojambo]

2. Politics can be so fascinating. n/t

[babylonsister]

4. Yes, I'm fascinated. I'd love to know the back story of what's

going on with the Dems now.