The WaPo
profiles the new Senate minority leader.
As badly as Democrats need a strong public voice after Daschle's and John F. Kerry's defeats and the net loss of congressional seats, the senators have signaled that it is more important to have a consummate legislative technician and vote counter at their helm in the 109th Congress, where the GOP's majority will grow from 51 to 55 Senate seats and the Bush administration will largely dictate the agenda.
Reid, a Mormon from tiny Searchlight, Nev., lacks Daschle's flair as a speaker and public figure and rarely goes on TV outside his home state. Moreover, he gets along well with Republican leaders and has parted company with most Democratic lawmakers on some prominent issues, such as his support for a constitutional ban on flag burning and his opposition to abortion in most cases [...]
None of this is to suggest that Reid shrinks from battles -- either with Republicans or with fellow Democrats balking at casting a tough party-line vote, lawmakers and staff members said. "He has absolutely no fear," said Jimmy Ryan, a former Reid aide who now lobbies for Citigroup. "He knows when to call a vote, and when to let your members know it's time to walk the plank. . . . He's probably the best reader of human beings I've ever met."
Reid's first challenge is to help his fellow Democrats assess the election results and decide whether to soften their opposition to GOP initiatives such as putting conservatives on the federal bench or drilling for oil in Alaskan wilderness. Daschle's loss is credited largely to Republican John Thune's portrayal of him as "the chief obstructionist" to President Bush's agenda, a worrisome thought for Democrats seeking reelection in 2006.
"His immediate challenge is to preside over an internal soul-searching debate" on "just how much to obstruct," said Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.), the GOP whip. McConnell said he hoped the new Democratic caucus would be less confrontational than the last but added: "The duty of the opposition is to oppose." [...]
Reid declined to grant interviews on his new leadership position until this morning's caucus vote makes it official. But shortly after the election, he hinted to Nevada reporters that Senate Democrats will make few, if any, concessions despite their setbacks.
McConnel gets the game. The loyal opposition's job is to oppose. The line about "Daschle's loss is credited largely to Republican John Thune's portrayal of him as "the chief obstructionist" to President Bush's agenda, a worrisome thought for Democrats seeking reelection in 2006" is asinine. Daschle hailed from one of the deepest red states in the nation. His circumstances were unique, and one that even Reid won't have to face (Nevada, while red, is just narrowly so and trending blue quickly).
Reid is no grand public speaker. Those duties will be delegated to the new Democratic whip -- Dick Durbin of Illinois.