Harry Reid: 'I'm running' in 2016
Sen. Harry Reid summoned dozens of staffers to the Senate’s Mansfield Room Tuesday and delivered a clear message: He’s running for reelection next year.
The comments are in part aimed at putting to rest growing speculation inside the Senate that the 75-year-old Nevada Democrat — badly hurt from a painful injury to his right eye — would call it quits after nearly three decades in the chamber. The Senate minority leader faces what could be a difficult reelection race next year, plus his would-be successors are ready to run the Democratic Caucus the moment he calls it quits.
But Reid told roughly 50 aides at an unusual all-staff briefing just off the Senate floor that he is definitely running in 2016, prompting a round of applause, according to attendees. And in a brief interview with POLITICO, Reid made clear that he’s directed his top political aide, Rebecca Lambe, to continue hiring senior-level staff, including a campaign manager.
“I talked to Rebecca this week, they are still interviewing people, the answer is yes,” Reid said when asked if he was 100 percent committed to running.
Read the rest at: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/reid-im-running-in-2016-115066.html
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... if Reid will still be in a position to be Senate Majority Leader then. I'd earlier thought that might be a good year for Merkley to perhaps assume that role in the Senate, if he were to again champion shaping the filibuster laws the way they should be put together, and then be in a position to help make that happen if he were able to be made Senate Majority Leader then. If that's not an option, then I think he would be a good potential progressive running mate for whoever gets nominated in 2016. Still hoping to reuse this button then! 
