Schumer quietly staking a claim to Reid's post

[usregimechange]

With Harry Reid in serious danger of losing re-election on Tuesday, Democrats are naturally wondering who might replace him as the party's top leader in the Senate should he not return to Washington.

It's no secret that Chuck Schumer desperately wants the job, and today, the New York Times examines the senior New York senator's attempts to quietly position himself as Reid's successor. In perhaps the only time the word "subtly" has ever been used to describe the brash attention-getting Schumer, the Times notes that he has been doing everything he can to help out fellow Dems in need — contributing cash, headlining campaign events — in the hopes that they'll remember him when it comes time to elect party leaders in the next Congress.

There's just one problem: Schumer isn't alone in his leadership ambitions. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Reid's current No. 2 and, perhaps most awkwardly, Schumer's D.C. roommate, also has designs on the job (and, as we noted months ago, the support of the White House).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101029/el_yblog_upshot/chuck-schumer-really-really-wants-harry-reids-job


Damn that is almost worth losing a seat.

[UTUSN]

1. I'm going to say this unpopular thing (as usual) : Even if Harry wins (which I wish for)

I hope Chuck becomes the leader.

[madokie]

2. If I remember correctly fuckie chuckie is why we have fox noise today

fuck schumer and the horse he rode in on.

[UTUSN]

4. O.K., fine. Just curious, which Dem do you admire?!1 (I want to know)

I admire SHUMER for being outspoken, intelligent. I love all my wimpy Dems like DASCHLE/REID, but would love to have some KICK-ASSes.



I really really want to know whom you prefer. I am NOT being snide/snarky/sarcastic.

[madokie]

16. Lets see

theres Dick Durbin, Barbara Boxer and Sheldon Whitehouse, any one of the three would get my vote. Theres others also but too early to think clearly yet.

[madmax]

6. Tell me... I've not heard this.

Schumer is the reason we have Faux News? How?

[madokie]

15. If I remember correctly

he slid into a bill in the middle of the night that was being voted on early that next morning giving murdock full citizenship rights. I may have my senator wrong but I'm pretty sure it was chuckie schumer.

correct me if I'm wrong as I'd like to not think I know this because otherwise I sorta' kinda' like the slippery devil.

[Nite Owl]

12. I hope so too

we need someone to stand up to the GOP and not be so quick to make deals. Durbin is too much like Reid and will work for the WH not us.

[sabrina 1]

22. No way. Schumer should not be the leader.

I would prefer Durbin if there's a choice. As a former constituent of Schumer, I don't think I ever remember him responding to a single question asked of him by his constituents, not even a robo response. The man is an egotist and arrogant.

I had the displeasure of meeting him once and of all the politicians I met (through my part time job) he stands out as someone who had zero interest in anyone around him but himself. He's for Chuck first everything else comes second to that.

[Yeshuah Ben Joseph]

3. Great. Just what we need

A third consecutive failed Senate "Majority Leader". Daschle. Reid. Schumer.

How about someone who understands the definitions of the words Democrat, Majority, and Leader?

[madmax]

7. It's the national wtf question. nt

[DefenseLawyer]

21. If smarm was golden, Schumer could balance the budget. n/t

[Alexander]

5. I'd rather have Dick Durbin as Majority Leader - a real liberal who voted against the Iraq War.

[Yeshuah Ben Joseph]

11. I like Dick Durbin, but I'm not sure he's right for the job either.

First there's the "Chicago" thing. The last thing we need is the perception that the "chicago machine" controls the Senate, along with the White House. Whether or not it's fair to say that about Durbin (and I don't think it is) that would be the corporate media/teabagger narrative.

There's also that episode a few years ago where he said something unflattering (though true) about the Chimpministration and then gave a tearful apology on the Senate floor a day or two later. I don't remember exactly what it was that Durbin called them out on, but it disturbed me that they obviously upset him without much effort. And because of that, I don't know if he'll have what it takes to stand up to a Repuke Senate that is bound to be even more hostile than the current bunch is.

[Alexander]

17. Schumer was a steadfast supporter of pro-torture Mukasey.

That was very telling to me.

Of course, a tearful apology is one thing, but supporting Mukasey is something entirely different.

Unfortunately, if Reid loses it will come down to these two - Schumer and Durbin. And I'd much rather have Durbin.

[Yeshuah Ben Joseph]

18. Believe Me, I wasn't pushing for Schumer.

Who I really want to see in there is Russ Feingold. Assuming the Diebold machines don't give his seat to a pedophile.

[Alexander]

19. I highly doubt that Feingold would get the job, even if he won re-election.

Johnson's a pedophile? Where did you hear that?

[RZM]

14. It'll be between those two

And probably a challenge to Boehner in the house too. From what I can tell the 'in house' congressional elections are pretty hard to gauge. Should be interesting.

[madmax]

8. Skinner, EarlG, or Elad for Senate Leader nt

[TexasObserver]

9. I'll address this the day after the election.

I'm on a moratorium from talking unkindly about legislative leaders.

[derby378]

10. Anyone who supports Joe Lieberman over Ned Lamont...

...will never get any support from me. Not unless they do some serious ass-kissing for the grassroots.

[Arkana]

13. I could get behind Chuck Schumer as our leader.

Guy's got chrome-plated balls--that's never been in doubt.

Comedy option: Al Franken.

[letterwriter]

20. Reed is a moron

Schumer is far better. I'm glad I don't live in Nevada because I'd vote "none of the above".