I don't know why Dems select minority/majority Senate leaders from purple/red states

[WI_DEM]

I think it affects how they act. The last two democratic leaders of the senate were from South Dakota (Daschle) and now Nevada (Reid). I think they are conditioned to always seek the middle ground because they represent states which are not Blue (sure Obama won Nevada, but at best it's a purple state).

I think we might do better with a senate leader from a strongly blue state. For one thing (unlike Daschle and Reid) they don't have to worry about being re-elected and they can concentrate more on getting things done that the majority of the democratic caucus want instead of what a few members want.

I think Schumer (NY), Rockefeller (WVA, yes, WVA is not blue in presidential races but it still is by and large in other elections), Kerry (MA) or Leahy (VT) would be a lot better as majority leader.

[sandnsea]

1. To remind the country there are Dems everywhere

Look at what Nancy Pelosi has to face and she's from San Francisco. It wouldn't matter where the Democrat was from. Until we figure out that we've got to talk to red counties and states differently, we're going to have these problems.

[WI_DEM]

4. Yes, but say Rockefeller from WVA, which certainly isn't your typical urban democrat

or even Durbin from IL which is urban, rural and suburban. These people from states where they are constantly worrying if they will win re-election to there own seats are, I think, hurting the democratic agenda.

[sandnsea]

10. Rockefeller would have as hard a time as Reid

Just because he's taking the lead on the public option, doesn't mean he'd be doing that if he were Senate Majority Leader. It's a different job with different responsibilities. And if this were about single payer and he were opposing that, boy would there be a different story coming from you then. People have got to have some objectivity.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Yes, I actually agree that someone like Schumer would be better. MUCH better. nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Oh course it is a problem. Why I was so happy with Pelosi

Our leaders need to be from stronghold regions, not states where their challenger has a chance.

[sandnsea]

11. 3/4 of this board hates Pelosi

Call her a sell-out, attack her husband, go after her from every angle. She hasn't got it any easier than Harry Reid does. She's standing up for the public option because she's got the votes to pass it. The Senate doesn't. It's that simple.

[DJ13]

5. Why?

So the Dems end up being more conservative, thus supporting the same big moneyed interests no matter which party is in charge.

That should be obvious.

[Romulox]

6. It's cheaper to buy off representatives from smaller states, for one. nt

[tritsofme]

7. If Republicans defeat Reid next November

Which looks it could be a possibility if they get their act together, they may have been too clever by half.

If a strong Obama ally like Dick Durbin became majority leader, I think you would see a more efficient Senate.

But I'm from Illinois and partial to Mr. Durbin, not intending to wish any ill will towards Harry Reid.

[AllentownJake]

8. DLC Thinking

Instead of trying to sell progressive values surrender to the middle and let the policies be center right.

[OHdem10]

9. For the same reason we must bow to the wishes of Republicans

from Red State.

I remember this vividly before K. Graham(former leader WAPO)
passed away. Because of her status and position, she was
often on C_Span. I remember a year before GWB ran for President,
Ms Graham gave a speech. For some reason I listened. In the
speech she said it was time for those on East Coast to stop
looking down on the Heartland and she emphasized Western States.

At this time, this was about the 3rd time I had heard her
say we should start paying more attention to their newspapers
and not think our papers are superior to theirs.

In a discussion by Pundits, I heard that Nancy Reagan had
befriended K Graham and had convinced her that what some
people call "flyover country" should have more recognition
and power. (Flyover refers to NYers getting on Plane and
landing in California and vice versa. Implied here is that
they have no clue as to how Heartland lives, much less their
culture.

By the time GWB was running the Media was gungho quaking in
their boots to please conservatives.

Anyone who does not believe Media has power, I have a few bridges.

[The Magistrate]

12. We Should Not Do It, Sir: Once Reid Loses Next Year, Which He Will, We Must Not Repeat the Error

The days of these shabby non-entities from empty, windy places must come to an end. Our leaders must be from solid states like Illinois or California or New York.

[Alexander]

13. The Whip is the #2 person to become leader in the Senate.

Reid was the Whip under Daschle. Daschle lost re-election. Therefore Reid moved up to then-Minority Leader, and nobody challenged him, possibly because they didn't know what an awful leader he would turn out to be.

I'm sure Senate Democrats were breathing such a sigh of relief over Tim Johnson's narrow win over John Thune in the 2002 Senate Bush-Daschle proxy war that they didn't anticipate Daschle himself would be even more vulnerable in 2004.

The good news is, Richard Durbin of Illinois is the current Majority Whip. So when Reid loses re-election in 2010, our new Majority Leader will be from a nice, safe blue state.