White House weighs in on speculation over Reid's successor, even as it entrusts agenda to Reid

Yahoo ^ | 5/20/10

[Libloather]

White House weighs in on speculation over Reid's successor, even as it entrusts its agenda to Reid
Thu May 20, 2:36 pm ET

Does the White House think Harry Reid's a goner? The Washington Post's Jason Horowitz writes up Sen. Chuck Schumer's not-so-secret ambition to succeed Reid as Senate majority leader. Reid, of course, is locked in a pretty tight re-election race in Nevada, which has led to all kinds of gossiping and speculation about who might replace him as leader of the Senate Dems.

This isn't a new story. People have been wondering for months whether Schumer would best Reid's likely heir apparent — the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois (who is also, awkwardly enough, Schumer's Washington roommate) — in a succession battle. But they usually speculate anonymously, so as not to inflame Reid, who is, after all, still in charge, and, as his spokesman Jim Manley told Yahoo! News on Thursday morning, "intends to be majority leader for years to come."

Tell that to the White House. In a pretty unusual move, it publicly weighed in on a potential Reid successor — without the usual boilerplate disclaimer about not wanting to address a hypothetical situation. On the record, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs offered that Obama "has a good record of working well with both" Schumer and Durbin.

"Obviously, he has a longer, more personal relationship with Sen. Durbin as a result of being home-state colleagues and for his help getting him elected in 2004 and 2008," Gibbs said.

[Libloather]

Does the White House think Harry Reid's a goner?

Yep.

Dingy Harry needs to retire with his free health care.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Chucky Schumer? So they assume that the Democrats can hold the senate? I beg to disagree.

[OldDeckHand]

Is it just me, or does the title "Leader Schummer", make you nauseous?

Also, Reid is a hapless fool, almost slow. Schummer, OTOH, isn't. He's abrasive, hypocritical, prone to fits of hysteria, and plain irritating, but he's not an idiot.

While it will be nice to have the additional Republican vote should Reid be undone, his replacement might be worse, should the GOP not be able to take back the Senate, as well.

[SmokingJoe]

“Reid, of course, is locked in a pretty tight re-election race in Nevada”

Nothing tight about it:

Nevada Survey of 500 Likely Voters
April 27, 2010

Election 2010: Nevada Senate

Sue Lowden (R) 52%
Harry Reid (D) 39%
Some other candidate 6%
Not sure 3%

Election 2010: Nevada Senate

Danny Tarkanian (R) 51%
Harry Reid (D) 41%
Some other candidate 4%
Not sure 4%

Election 2010: Nevada Senate

Sharron Angle (R) 48%
Harry Reid (D) 40%
Some other candidate 7%
Not sure 4%
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/election_2010_nevada_senate

[Jet Jaguar]

Ping

[Siena Dreaming]

I think Durbin would be worse, but having Schumer in the majority leader slot sure doesn't make me happy.

[Nachum]

The list, ping

[ketelone]

Meanwhile, Obama's keeping a close eye on matters.

[FormerACLUmember]

Reid is toast.

But by God, Schumer is a complete monster. A scheming malicious socialist tyrant of the worst sort.

[Red Dog #1]

Looks like they’re planning a trip under the bus for Harry.

[freeangel]

LOL Say hello to the bus, reid.

[broken_arrow1]

successor to Reid as Senate majority leader?

Joseph Stalin's spawn may have someone worth taking a look at; otherwise, maybe Cuba strongman Raul Castro might be a good candidate. That way, Reid could leave, and they wouldn't miss a beat.

[Ann Archy]

Oh man.....the Harry Reid is gone, Daschle is gone.....Schumer will be gone if he takes that job.....NOT.....the Jewish people in New York will ALWAYS vote for him, no matter what!!

[Ann Archy]

Durbin is ALMOST as obnoxious as Schumer...almost.

[Inwoodian]

Schumer, Reid, Durbin? Why not Beelzebub, Screwtape, Satan?

[Paul Ross]

Yep. And Schumer needs to go too...

[SunkenCiv]

In a pretty unusual move, it publicly weighed in on a potential Reid successor -- without the usual boilerplate disclaimer about not wanting to address a hypothetical situation. On the record, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs offered that Obama "has a good record of working well with both" Schumer and Durbin. "Obviously, he has a longer, more personal relationship with Sen. Durbin as a result of being home-state colleagues and for his help getting him elected in 2004 and 2008," Gibbs said.

• Democratic New York senator Chuck Schumer is poised to become majority leader