So predictable: Harry Reid endorses Chuck Schumer to succeed him as Senate Minority Leader

[cali]

Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has endorsed Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) to succeed him after he retires at the end of 2016.

"I think Schumer should be able to succeed me," Reid said in a Friday morning interview at his home in Washington's West End.

Reid predicted that Schumer, the No. 3 Senate Democrat in leadership and a close friend, would win the Democratic leader post without opposition. He said that the other likely contender, Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), would stand down for Schumer.

Reid and Durbin spoke by phone at about 11 a.m. Friday.

Reid called Schumer "extremely smart" and noted the brash, energetic New Yorker would have a "different style" than his own soft talking demeanor.

Seemingly comfortable with his decision to not run for re-election, Reid said the liberal wing of the Democratic Party should have faith in Schumer, whose ties to Wall Street fueled his fundraising prowess and helped Democrats win the majority in 2006 and expand it to a super-majority in 2009. Those ties have some liberals questioning whether Schumer should lead the party, but Reid said that Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) would serve as the torch bearers for the populist wing and hold the caucus's feet to the fire.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/03/27/harry-reid-endorses-chuck-schumer-to-succeed-him-as-senate-minority-leade

[Enrique]

1. damn

my money was on Bernie Sanders. oh well

[Android3.14]

2. And the slow-motion train wreck continues

2016 is going to suuuuuuuuuuck!

[Gman]

3. Schumer will make a very fine leader

He's a great choice. I'm very comfortable with him.

[2banon]

4. Oky doky. We know which wing of the Democratic Party you're with.

Thanks for making that clear.

[Gman]

6. The wing that wins

And gets things done and doesn't sit around whining about what they don't like.

[LiberalElite]

8. Yours is the same wing

that shoves its agenda down everyone else's throat.

[Gman]

11. Some people have to be dragged

Kicking and screaming the whole way to what's best for them and the country.

[Renew Deal]

15. That's one benefit if winning

You can't shove your agenda down peoples throats if you can't get elected.

[Nye Bevan]

5. I've always respected Schumer. Seems like a good choice (nt)

[cali]

9. Why?

[Nye Bevan]

10. For starters, he unseated Al D'Amato (nt)

[cali]

12. that's hardly a reason. How about what he's done in office? What do you like so much?

[Nye Bevan]

17. He's been around so long there's a lot of stuff I could mention.

And I'm not going to do the "OK.... but what ELSE?" thing.

I will give one recent example: pushing for a law that student loans must be forgiven when the borrower dies (instead of sticking the grieving parents with the debt):

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/16/legislation-would-require-private-student-loans-be-forgiven-if-borrower-dies/

[joeybee12]

7. I'm not a fan of Schmuer, but I don't see why people think this is bad...

The leader becomes the poster boy of Repuke loathing....it will be all directed to him like it was to Reid...Schumer can handle it...can the others?

[Renew Deal]

13. Overall I think he will be good for that job

He's a good organizer and fundraiser. He knows the lay of the land.

[edhopper]

14. My hope

is that in 2016, Schumer succeeds him as MAJORITY Leader.

[cherokeeprogressive]

16. Just another member of The Boy's Club.

Somewhere down the line look forward to their children trading power and perks.