Claiming, “It’s the caucus’ decision but Senator Reid thinks Senator Schumer has earned it,” Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) spokesman, Adam Jentleson, confirmed that his boss has endorsed Chuck Schumer (D-Wall Street) as his successor, in the past hour.
As the NY Times just reported it: "Mr. Reid conspicuously passed over Senator Richard J. Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat from Illinois, who is also in line to replace Mr. Reid."
Harry Reid Endorses Schumer as Next Minority Leader
Ashley Parker
New York Times
March 27th, 2015 12:22PM EST
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, shocked his colleagues Friday morning by announcing that he would retire at the end of his term.
And then, hours later, he sent another ripple through the Democratic political world when he endorsed Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, the No. 3 Democrat, to replace him.
“I think Schumer should be able to succeed me,” Mr. Reid told the Washington Post, in an interview at his condo in Washington’s West End...
I'm sure the Republicans won't say anything about this in their upcoming, 2016 campaign propaganda push, so at least this should put an end to the presidential election discussion about whether or not the Democratic Party is (also) controlled by Wall Street.
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UPDATE (Fri., March 27th, 2015, 3:45PM EDT): h/t to Kossack Trix, in the comments…
Well, that didn’t take long. TPM is reminding us of what Dick Durbin noted in his famous quote in April 2009: “The banks run the place.” Consequently, with Durbin’s endorsement, Schumer’s now “the overwhelming favorite.”
Dick Durbin Endorses Schumer
For Senate Democratic Leader
By Sahil Kapur
TPM
March 27, 2015, 3:06 PM EDT
In a remarkable twist, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) revealed Friday he won't challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to succeed Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) as Democratic leader once he retires in 2016.
"Senator Durbin told Senator Schumer late last night that he wasn’t running for Leader, and that Schumer has his support," a Durbin spokesman said in an email. "Durbin intends to run again for Whip and has Senator Reid’s support. He’s been speaking with senators this morning."…
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