Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is being elevated to a newly-created, number-three slot as vice chairman of the Democratic Conference in the Senate Majority as a prize for spearheading the stunning Democratic takeover of the Senate.
The current number three, Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, is stepping down as secretary of the Democratic conference in exchange for a plum committee slot, according to a Senate staffer. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will announce Schumer's new title at a Capitol Hill news conference.
Schumer, 55, who raised more than $100 million as chairman of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, ranks behind Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Reid's number two.
Washington Sen. Patty Murray will take Stabenow's slot, which will now be the fourth most powerful position in the Senate leadership.
Glenn Thrush
Comments (2)
Schumer has close ties with Lieberman. He said Lieberman is - the conscious of the senate - during a campaign in which Lieberman took a senate seat from a Democrat. Their loyalty to the DP is questionable. We know the Independent Lieberman is for the war, Schumer, does not say much about it, which leads me to believe he is for it. Schumers rise should be worrisome to Democrats who are looking for a sooner that later way out of the Iraq.
John Adams said: "Their loyalty to the DP is questionable."
Huh? Chuck isn't loyal to the party? He just busted his butt for two years for the party to take control of the Senate. He's going to do it for another two years. How is that not loyal?
As for any pro-Lieberman comments that Chuck made, a lot of folks were trying to play both sides of the fence -- given the awkward post-primary situation in that campaign.
Now Lieberamn is another story. You're right. He's not loyal. And all this dithering over which party he might caucus with in the future (he's not ruling out the Republicans, he says) is his revenge for the Dems supporting the winner of their party primary (as they should have). Petty, eh?