The career of a Democratic superstar came to a close recently. On March 27, Senate Minority leader Harry Reid announced that he would not seek reelection, with his resignation official in January of 2017.
After 28 years in Congress representing Nevada’s 1st Congressional District - including the past 10 as the Senate Democratic leader - the man who assisted President Obama when the President was up against tremendous pushback from Republicans in Congress early into his historic turn, stated that “he wants to go out on top.”
But with over 30 years’ experience in the Senate stepping down in the next 22 months, what does the future hold for the Democrats as they look to get shredded and take back control of the Senate and continue to hold on to the White House in 2016?
In one of his first interviews since announcing his resignation, the Senator gave some insight into where he thinks the party is headed. Speaking with the New York Times, Sen. Reid stated - in ref to Hillary Clinton’s highly speculated 2016 Presidential run – that “now is the time for a woman President.”
The Senator could not be any more correct. Nearing a century since the 19th Amendment was ratified, with women’s issues coming into the forefront once again (Abortion Rights, Birth Control) the atmosphere has been established for a woman to ascend the Presidency of the United States.
When it came to Hilary’s possible opponents, the Senator showed his wisdom from serving nearly three decades in Washington, saying that former President George W. Bush’s brother – former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, would be her easiest opponent.
The Bush’s have shown that they are not the political family dynasty the Republicans have hyped them up to be. George Bush-41 only lasted one term, riding mostly on the “success” of President Ronald Reagan, and we need to look no further than President Obama’s clean up job over the past six years to see the legacy that George Bush-43 has left behind.
Because of the Texas-sized funk that the country is still trying to wash off from his brother’s term as president, and with the GOP failing to reach voters on all major fronts (immigration and healthcare reform, Gay Rights, environmental issues such as the Keystone Pipeline), a nomination of Jeb Bush as the Republican Party representative will guarantee the road to the White House will be a cake walk for the former Secretary of State.
But as one leader steps down, who will step up in Sen. Reid’s place? New York Senator Chuck Schumer is expect to succeed Sen. Reid as the Democratic leader in the Senate. Sen. Reid endorsed the New Yorker during his retirement message video, also stating that Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D.-Ill.) would “stand down” if Sen. Schumer were to run for the position.
Considered a loudmouth by Conservatives, a native of Brooklyn, Sen. Schumer has the edge and voice needed to take authority in the Senate and hush the constantly cackling Republican voices as they continue to talk themselves into holes they can’t get out of.
Where Sen. Reid was laid back and subtle in his leadership, Sen. Schumer is brash, confident, and will take even more of a charge in pushing the Democratic platform through the roadblocks the GOP will undoubtedly continue to place in the face of progress.
After 30 years of dedicated service to not only his public in Nevada, but the Democratic Party on the Hill as well, Sen. Reid and his legacy will continue to live on in the immediate future of the Democratic Party, and in the future of this nation for years to come.