This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-schumer-expected-to-succeed-reid-the-battle-axe-has-been-passed/2015/03/27/0369ff30-d4a3-11e4-8fce-3941fc548f1c_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Reid leaves a parting gift for his party: A quiet and bloodless succession Reid leaves a parting gift for his party: A quiet and bloodless succession
(about 2 hours later)
In his eight years as the Senate’s Democratic leader, Harry Reid earned a reputation for legislative sorcery epitomized by the way in which he muscled President Obama’s health-care reform bill through the Senate. In his eight years as the Senate’s Democratic leader, Harry M. Reid earned a reputation for legislative sorcery epitomized by the way in which he muscled President Obama’s health-care reform bill through the Senate.
And so, it may be fitting that the Nevadan’s retirement announcement came Friday accompanied by an almost magical development: a quiet and bloodless succession.And so, it may be fitting that the Nevadan’s retirement announcement came Friday accompanied by an almost magical development: a quiet and bloodless succession.
Reid’s endorsement of his top deputy, Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) makes Schumer the heavy favorite to assume the Democratic leader’s chair in 2017, forestalling a messy intracaucus battle that would have played out over the next two years. Reid’s endorsement of Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), makes Schumer the favorite to assume the Democratic leader’s chair in 2017, forestalling a messy intracaucus battle that would have played out over the next two years.
Schumer’s path to the top also suggests little wane in the partisan divisions that have increasingly coarsened the ways of doing business in the Senate in recent years.Schumer’s path to the top also suggests little wane in the partisan divisions that have increasingly coarsened the ways of doing business in the Senate in recent years.
[Harry Reid: ‘I’m not going to run for reelection’][Harry Reid: ‘I’m not going to run for reelection’]
Reid said Friday that the Senate was ready for a “different style.” Reid, 75, said Friday that the Senate is ready for a “different style.”
“He’s a fine man, extremely smart, and that’s an understatement,” he said, remarking on Schumer’s memorization of dozens of lawmakers’ cellphone numbers.“He’s a fine man, extremely smart, and that’s an understatement,” he said, remarking on Schumer’s memorization of dozens of lawmakers’ cellphone numbers.
Schumer is vice chairman of the Democratic Conference, the third-ranking party leader, but has long been seen as more likely to succeed Reid than the No. 2, Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.).Schumer is vice chairman of the Democratic Conference, the third-ranking party leader, but has long been seen as more likely to succeed Reid than the No. 2, Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.).
Schumer gained the upper hand mainly thanks to his close relationships with many Senate Democrats he helped elect in 2006 and 2008 as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, winning a majority and then a filibuster-proof supermajority. Schumer gained the upper hand, mainly thanks to his close relationships with many Senate Democrats he helped elect in 2006 and 2008 as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, winning a majority and then a filibuster-proof supermajority.
Still, Durbin would have been positioned to mount a serious bid for the leader’s chair, setting up a months-long race that would have been personally and politically nasty: Both men have served in the Senate for more than 15 years after spending more than a decade each in the House. Both are from reliably Democratic states, have big-city fundraising bases and bunked together in the same Capitol Hill house while Congress was in session.Still, Durbin would have been positioned to mount a serious bid for the leader’s chair, setting up a months-long race that would have been personally and politically nasty: Both men have served in the Senate for more than 15 years after spending more than a decade each in the House. Both are from reliably Democratic states, have big-city fundraising bases and bunked together in the same Capitol Hill house while Congress was in session.
[The real ‘Alpha House’: Rep. George Miller’s congressional group house on Capitol Hill][The real ‘Alpha House’: Rep. George Miller’s congressional group house on Capitol Hill]
Sometimes dismissed by critics as a motor-mouthed New Yorker with a legendary thirst for self-promotion, Schumer methodically built relationships with his Senate colleagues after his 1998 election — none more important than the one with Reid.Sometimes dismissed by critics as a motor-mouthed New Yorker with a legendary thirst for self-promotion, Schumer methodically built relationships with his Senate colleagues after his 1998 election — none more important than the one with Reid.
“As Senator Schumer likes to say, they’re foxhole buddies from their time spent in the trenches in 2006 and 2008,” said Jim Manley, a former top aide to Reid. “They really bonded during that experience.”“As Senator Schumer likes to say, they’re foxhole buddies from their time spent in the trenches in 2006 and 2008,” said Jim Manley, a former top aide to Reid. “They really bonded during that experience.”
Since then, Manley said, Schumer has built a reputation on his “top-notch tactical skills and an unparalleled knowledge of how to craft and drive a message.”Since then, Manley said, Schumer has built a reputation on his “top-notch tactical skills and an unparalleled knowledge of how to craft and drive a message.”
Schumer on Friday issued a statement formally entering the race to become the next leader, saying he was “honored and humbled to have the support of so many of my colleagues.” An adviser said he already had commitments of support from an “overwhelming majority” of Senate Democrats.Schumer on Friday issued a statement formally entering the race to become the next leader, saying he was “honored and humbled to have the support of so many of my colleagues.” An adviser said he already had commitments of support from an “overwhelming majority” of Senate Democrats.
Reid’s morning announcement came only a few hours after the Senate had completed a marathon budget session and was gaveled closed for a two-week recess. It took most on Capitol Hill by surprise; Reid, 75, had previously insisted he would run for a sixth term in 2016 despite uncertain political odds.Reid’s morning announcement came only a few hours after the Senate had completed a marathon budget session and was gaveled closed for a two-week recess. It took most on Capitol Hill by surprise; Reid, 75, had previously insisted he would run for a sixth term in 2016 despite uncertain political odds.
But last November’s Senate losses put Democrats in the minority, and a New Year’s Day exercise accident left Reid with broken ribs and a still-bruised face. In a video message announcing his decision, he said his injuries gave him “time to ponder and to think.”But last November’s Senate losses put Democrats in the minority, and a New Year’s Day exercise accident left Reid with broken ribs and a still-bruised face. In a video message announcing his decision, he said his injuries gave him “time to ponder and to think.”
In an interview, the former amateur boxer and devout baseball fan who become known in recent years for his fierce political tactics acknowledged being wary about potentially serving in a physically diminished capacity.In an interview, the former amateur boxer and devout baseball fan who become known in recent years for his fierce political tactics acknowledged being wary about potentially serving in a physically diminished capacity.
“I don’t want to be a pinch hitter,” Reid said.“I don’t want to be a pinch hitter,” Reid said.
Hours before, the transition had been quietly negotiated on the Senate floor.Hours before, the transition had been quietly negotiated on the Senate floor.
As lawmakers trudged through votes on dozens of amendments early Friday, Durbin said he had a conversation with Reid that led him to believe that his retirement announcement was imminent. Durbin then found Schumer and pulled him to the side of the chamber.As lawmakers trudged through votes on dozens of amendments early Friday, Durbin said he had a conversation with Reid that led him to believe that his retirement announcement was imminent. Durbin then found Schumer and pulled him to the side of the chamber.
“I don’t think Harry’s going to run,” he told Schumer, according to Durbin’s account Friday. “I think you’ve earned this.”“I don’t think Harry’s going to run,” he told Schumer, according to Durbin’s account Friday. “I think you’ve earned this.”
Schumer grew emotional as his longtime friend endorsed his bid to succeed Reid, because their relationship had frayed in recent years as many Senate Democrats and party strategists watched their every move through the prism of the race to succeed Reid.Schumer grew emotional as his longtime friend endorsed his bid to succeed Reid, because their relationship had frayed in recent years as many Senate Democrats and party strategists watched their every move through the prism of the race to succeed Reid.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said Friday seeing Reid and Durbin quickly coalesce around Schumer was a “very positive development” for Democrats. “I don’t think we’ll miss a beat,” he said.Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said Friday seeing Reid and Durbin quickly coalesce around Schumer was a “very positive development” for Democrats. “I don’t think we’ll miss a beat,” he said.
Schumer, Reed predicted, will bring “immense energy, exuberance and imagination to the job.”Schumer, Reed predicted, will bring “immense energy, exuberance and imagination to the job.”
Still, Schumer does not fit the recent profile of a Senate party leader. Since Lyndon Baines Johnson, a Texan, stepped down in 1960, Democrats have selected their leaders from among the smallest states in the union. If chosen, he would be the first leader of either party from an urban, East Coast state since Hugh Scott, a Philadelphian, led Republicans during the mid-1970s. Still, Schumer does not fit the recent profile of a Senate party leader. Since Lyndon Baines Johnson, a Texan, stepped down in 1960, Democrats have selected their leaders from among the smallest states in the union. If chosen, Schumer would be the first leader of either party from an urban, East Coast state since Hugh Scott, a Philadelphian, led Republicans during the mid-1970s.
And while Schumer is squarely in the Democratic Party’s liberal wing, he is not a perfect fit for its current orthodoxy. For one, he is known as a stalwart defender of the financial industry, a stance that served him well as the party’s national senatorial fundraiser in 2006 and 2008 but is now seen as out of step with a Democratic Party increasingly critical of Wall Street. And although Schumer is squarely in the Democratic Party’s liberal wing, he is not a perfect fit for its current orthodoxy. For one, he is known as a stalwart defender of the financial industry, a stance that served him well as the party’s national senatorial fundraiser in 2006 and 2008 but is now seen as out of step with a Democratic Party increasingly critical of Wall Street.
Also, on Friday, the liberal group MoveOn highlighted Schumer’s support for an Iran sanctions bill as a reason to block his ascension. “Supporting reckless legislation that undermines President Obama’s diplomacy with Iran and risks a dangerous, unnecessary war in the Middle East should disqualify anyone from leading the Senate Democratic caucus,” the group said in a statement. Also, on Friday, the liberal group MoveOn highlighted ­Schumer’s support for an Iran sanctions bill as a reason to block his ascension. “Supporting reckless legislation that undermines President Obama’s diplomacy with Iran and risks a dangerous, unnecessary war in the Middle East should disqualify anyone from leading the Senate Democratic caucus,” the group said in a statement.
But in a leadership battle that has most everything to do with personal relationships and not with ideology, that opposition does not stand to matter much.But in a leadership battle that has most everything to do with personal relationships and not with ideology, that opposition does not stand to matter much.
Durbin acknowledged differences on some policy matters but said Schumer has handled well the “tough assignment” of representing Wall Street after the economic crash, when liberal activists pushed for the toughest possible financial regulations. “He’s a pragmatist, and he listens closely to his caucus,” Durbin said.Durbin acknowledged differences on some policy matters but said Schumer has handled well the “tough assignment” of representing Wall Street after the economic crash, when liberal activists pushed for the toughest possible financial regulations. “He’s a pragmatist, and he listens closely to his caucus,” Durbin said.
Reid made a similar point, that the rising profile of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) should reassure hard-core liberals that their voices would be heard at the leadership table.Reid made a similar point, that the rising profile of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) should reassure hard-core liberals that their voices would be heard at the leadership table.
While Reid’s departure may not roil the Senate Democratic conference, the political scene in his home state is another matter. Although Reid’s departure may not roil the Senate Democratic conference, the political scene in his home state is another matter.
Nevada was already seen as a key battleground in the fight for the Senate majority, and some close watchers said that that will make it harder for Democrats to retain his seat — one of the few Democrats have to worry about defending on a 2016 map ripe with pickup opportunities. Others call that too simple a reading.Nevada was already seen as a key battleground in the fight for the Senate majority, and some close watchers said that that will make it harder for Democrats to retain his seat — one of the few Democrats have to worry about defending on a 2016 map ripe with pickup opportunities. Others call that too simple a reading.
“I think an argument could be made that this makes the Democratic chances better,” said longtime Nevada political observer Jon Ralston. “Yes, Reid was fearless and indomitable and had one of the better machines in politics. But he has super-high negatives.”“I think an argument could be made that this makes the Democratic chances better,” said longtime Nevada political observer Jon Ralston. “Yes, Reid was fearless and indomitable and had one of the better machines in politics. But he has super-high negatives.”
Paul Kane contributed to this report.Paul Kane contributed to this report.