Reply #3: I hope you are right and that Durbin wins [View All]

[karynnj]

Seeing that this is voted on by the caucus, I would hope they would consider two things.

1) Schumer has always been willing to stab people in the back and is smart and aggressive. Now, given all of that, shouldn't there be a pile of legislation he used those skills and cut throat aggressiveness to pass? I haven't seen it.

2) Part of the function of the majority leader - and one that Reid does at best a mediocre job at - is being a top spokesperson for the Senate leadership. Where Reid is rather unimpressive, Schumer is distinctly unlikeable and unappealing. Durbin is always articulate and pleasant. He seems a nice, guy next door. Who is the better face of the party.

(I still remember the never confirmed rumor that Kerry had wanted Durbin, but was pushed by the party to take the media and party beloved egomaniac Edwards. I don't know if that would have won - but Ohio is likely culturally more similar to Illinois than to NC and with Durbin, you could have made the point of two people with very solid resumees.)