The Case for a new Senate Majority Leader
If the last two years have taught us anything, its that we are in dire need of a new Senate Majority Leader. Remind me again, wasn't it Harry Reid and the Senate leadership that told us little people to be patient, because they could do all sorts of stuff once they got the majority--investigations, special prosecutors, accountability? Is it okay to start questioning whether we really have someone who understands what it means to be the Majority Leader?
Sen. Reid is barely keeping his head above water in the polls against such a slam-dunk opponent such as Sharron Angle. Seriously, its kind of humiliating when the majority leader is locked in a dead heat battle with a tea-bagging opponent who refuses to speak to the media unless she can shill for people to send her money, and opposes programs the majority of her constituents approve of such as social security and healthcare.
Now I'm obviously not saying that Harry Reid is a bad guy or deserves to be unseated as a senator...I like Harry Reid, I really do, but I believe he has a hard time being able to sell the programs the democrats want in place. He has a hard time standing up to the minority party and looking like a leader. Both reasons as to why he needs to be removed from his position to make way for someone better suited to deliver the message of the democrats, whether he is re-elected or not. A majority leader who will act as such, the leader of the majority party and not back down to idle threats and obstruction from the minority. A leader who will call out those obstructing the process by naming names. When thinking of someone with those qualities, a few names come to mind.
Russ Feingold: As the only member of the senate to vote against going into Iraq, Russ Feingold has earned the respect and admiration of many progressives. Feingold also stood alone opposing the PATRIOT Act. However, Feingold has proven to be vulnerable come election time and is currently in a tight race with Republican Ron Johnson.
Al Franken: A definite long-shot, but when I think of a senator who champions the progressive values, with a take no guff attitude, immediately Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota comes to mind. Franken has not backed down when confronted with blatant lies and mis-truths from those on the other side. However, Franken is still very young in his political career and won a very tight race against Norm Coleman in 2008, leaving his chances of re-election questionable.
Chuck Schumer: Can't forget the front-runner to take the position of majority leader should Harry Reid not win re-election, Sen. Chuck Shumer of New York. Although there are others I would rather see fill the position, Schumer is most likely the man who will and still is a step up from Reid. I like the delicious possibilities of wingnut reaction to a black crypto-Muslim and a Jew pushing through legislation.
Chances are though, Reid will win re-election and remain at his post as head of the silent majority, but hey, its nice to dream, no?