Discussion for article #234778
I prefer Reid to Durbin and I flat out despise Schumer. Oh well.
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Wall Streeters celebrate.
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The fix is in. The back-room deal is done.
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I like Durbin, Schumer not much, but both are firmly in the pocket of AIPAC. Sad, really.
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I somewhat like Durbin, who happens to be my Senator, but all too often he wimps out on things, so I agree (with him) that he’s not a great choice for (Minority or Majority) Senate Leader. Schumer is obviously too close to Wall Street for the taste of most of us here, so that’s unfortunate.
Most of us would probably love to see Warren as leader, but that’s not going to happen for a number of reasons, including seniority/experience. I’d be pretty happy with Patty Murray, Sherrod Brown, or Sheldon Whitehouse (just off the top of my head), but, sadly, nobody asked me.
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He’s my senator as well. And when I think ill of him, I just say, ¨Mark Kirk,¨ and I like Durbin again.
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I can’t help but think that this was a factor:
“Exclusive: Upset by Warren, U.S. banks debate halting some campaign donations”
“Representatives from Citigroup, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, have met to discuss ways to urge Democrats, including Warren and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, to soften their party’s tone toward Wall Street, sources familiar with the discussions said this week.”
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Interesting. Old grudges die hard. Thanks for the link.
A step backwards.
maybe the republicans should get behind one of their jewish senators for leader next congress. oh, wait …
I know everyone will beat up on me for this, but I don’t know who might be better than Schumer, and here’s why:
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Though, yes, the leader makes choices on what bills come to the floor, not since LBJ do they originate policy.
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We need all the progressives … Warren, Brown, Whitehouse, etc … writing bills and active in committees shaping policy, and they don’t get to do that as leader.
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Who else knows the arcane ins and outs of Senate rules, that are absolutely vital to an effective leader, better than Schumer. I don’t personally know of anyone, but it’s not likely to be a first or second term Senator, no matter how smart and involved they are in the inner workings.
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Sound bites. Yes, Schumer is famous for his own that we are all familiar with, but he has moments of crafting a message. Reid wasn’t good at that. The GOP bamboozle so many voters with sound bites. Schumer is safe in his seat … if he shifts to a broader message (which he did somewhat as NSCC chairman), we may gain on the GOP in the message wars.
I do understand the misgivings and disdain for Schumer, but who else can play all the obscure Senate levers of power and we would want to let go of writing policy? I’d actually like him having to respond to and lead the Dem caucus rather than legislating. He does not get the choice to ignore them or he’ll be removed.
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I’d like Barbara Mikulski, but she’s retiring, too.
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I agree … she would be an awesome leader, but I don’t know that I would have wanted to remove her from the realm of writing legislation … she was pretty great there too.
You make some good points - you might even be right 
I just wish the next Democratic Leader could be someone other than Mr. Wall Street.
It is amusing that people apparently think that Senator Warren is the answer to every question of Democratic Party governance. I love, love, love Elizabeth Warren - but I can’t see her as Majority (hopefully) or Minority Leader.
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Yet another sign that they are TERRIFIED of Elizabeth Warren!
And I believe they have good reason to be.
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