Schumer would be an ideal Senate minorty leader in one sense -- because he comes from a very liberal state and isn't likely to face any serious threat from a Republican opponent. Having a party leader like Reid -- from a state that has a fairly strong GOP presence and track record -- puts Reid in the same precarious position as Daschle when it comes to holding onto his seat in the Senate.
Chuck Schumer ping.
Reid has thrown his re-election chances under the bus 1) By agreeing to be Dem minority leader and as such beholden to the Hard Left and 2) trusting the Dems to save him.
It's one thing to be loyal to party. It's another to be loyal to a Party content to lose every state but MASS and Cali. He'll be Daschle'd and the Dems are already signaling their intent to throw him overboard five years in advance. Reid's "loyalty" got him nothing from his own leadership.