A few days ago, I blogged on my thoughts about Harry Reidand started to look at a few possible contenders for the Majority Leader position. Given, this is assuming the Democrats have a majority in January of 2011 and Reid loses his reelection bid. Both I think are reasonable to assume. Best case scenario for us progressives is if Crist switches parties and wins, Sestak win primary and general(although I like Specter too), Ohio(Brunner), Missouri(Carnahan) and New Hampshire(Hodes) are turned completely blue, and we just lose Nevada and North Dakota. After the jump, I'll look at some of the potential people who could be our next Majority Leader.
I'll break this down into different categories.
Democratic Leadership:
Dick Durbin
The Majority Whip, and likely successor to Reid.
Pros: Liberal voting record
debating skills means he could PWN GOP leadership in 2011.
still is young enough to have fight left in him.
Cons: Could be considered too close to Obama, Rahm and the Chicago machine
Hasn't shown much fight lately
Might not be ready for such responsbility
Chuck Schumer
Third in command, and has an extremely safe seat. Known for being obnoxious.
Pros: One of the most liberal members of the Senate.
Is considered "scrappy" and a fighter
Blue Dogs owe most of their seats to him so he has some "markers" he can call on.
Cons: Could be considered too close to Wall St.
Depending on what he's discused with Lou Dobbs, he could be too easily snookered by the GOP.
Patty Murray
Fourth in the hierachy. From Washington state.
Pros: Voted against the Iraqi War in 2002.
Very strong environmental record
Has a background as a teacher thus pro-education
Cons: Nobody knows if she could take charge.
Bob Menendez
DSCC Chairman.
Pros: would be the first Hispanic Majority Leader
Cons: Linked with Corzine as he appointed him Senator.
Other Choices
Barbara Boxer
The Deputy Chief Whip. Asked a General to call her "Senator" instead of "Ma'am"
Pros: Is a Fighter with a capital F.
Wouldn't take any crap from Joementum, Senators Wal-Mart and Wellpoint
Would be the first woman as Majority Leader
Bona Fide Progressive and just made of Win
Cons: would be seen as a Pelosi clone and pundits would notice that Democratic Leadership of Congress has two women from California at the helm.
Tom Harkin
Former Navy pilot and beloved Iowan senator.
Pros: Veteran status gives him cred on Defense.
Is well-liked by all Democrats
Progressive voting record.
Cons: Could be seen as too old.
Might be seen as too nice to really crack the whip.
Ron Wyden
The Senior Senator from Oregon.
Pros: Seen as an "independant" voice.
Look at his answer for Health Care Reform: Outside the Box for sure.
Cons: Might be too tempted to go for biparisanship with unwilling GOP.
Mixed voting record.
Maria Cantwell
Junior Senator from Washington.
Pros: Instrumental in stopping ANWAR drilling
Very telegenic
Very good record on choice and environment.
Cons: Other parts of her record might anger progressives
Bernie Sanders
Our favorite Independent Senator.
Pros: Awesome Senator and awesome voting record
Cons: Is way out of the Democratic mainstream.
Is an Independant.
The Bad Choices
Evan Bayh
Senator Wellpoint himself. Way too ConservaDem for progressives. Empty Suit.
Joe Lieberman
Ugh, so many reasons why not.
The discussion about who could lead the party next should be interesting. Hopefully it will lead the Overton Window to the left.