The Senate Democrats announced their leadership team yesterday and I consider them a mixed bag that's moving in the right direction, but only in part. I'm somewhat slow to condemn, because I realize that the Senate is one of the most tradition bound institutions in government, where seniority takes precedence.
After Senator Charles Schumer of New York was elected as the new leader of the Senate Democrats earlier on Wednesday, he gave both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren leadership roles in the upcoming first Congress under President-elect Donald Trump.
Their roles are less meaningful than those of others on the leadership team, but their appointments are a sign that Democrats recognize and are responding to the progressive tilt in their party. Schumer had faced pressure to add the senators; earlier this week, dozens of protesters staged a sit-in outside of his office. Some liberals are skeptical of Schumer’s ties to Wall Street, while both Sanders and Warren are high-profile critics of big banks.
Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, faced off against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary. Even after it became clear she would win the nomination, he held on to his presidential bid and resisted endorsing Clinton. During that time he won major concessions while pushing the Democratic Party into approving the most progressive platform in its history, including seeking a $15 federal minimum wage and a carbon pricing regime to combat climate change.
Schumer had hoped to become Senate majority leader under a Clinton administration. But with Trump’s stunning victory last week, he will have to deal with a Republican in the White House and both houses of Congress under Republican control. Schumer will replace Harry Reid, who is retiring at the end of this year.
Senator Dick Durbin will continue in his role as party whip—the second-ranking Democrat—and Senator Patty Murray will assume the new title of assistant Democratic leader and be the third-ranking party member. Schumer’s team also includes Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first lesbian senator to hold a leadership role, and Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate…
From <Newsweek>
I'm not pleased with Schumer, but he was in line for the job. While OK on most issues, he's too cozy with Wall Street Banksters and Vulture Capitalists. According to GovTrack Durbin is better and ranks as 6th most progressive member of the Senate. Patty Murray is 13th. Tammy Baldwin is 7th. Joe Manchin, a horrid DINO, is 46th. He should NOT have a leadership role. Of course, my favorites are Bernie, who ranked 4th and Liz, who ranked 1st.
7 Responses to “Democratic Senate Leadership Team”
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I most certainly agree that Schumer is far from the best choice, but I must admit he supports Keith for DNC chair; credit where credit is due. I also agree with you on Manchin. Forty-sixth? There are probably Republicans who rank higher. I might have a better feel if I knew exactly what the posts are, though.
Loved the picture…let's get the ball rollin'……..
Thanks, Tom.
Having lived in N.Y. for much of my life, now an expat. in N.J., and a former fan of Schumer, before he did something I no longer recall, that bugged me, I can understand a dislike of him, but Reid was in there beyond his time.
I'm glad to see Baldwin in there!
Schumer will probably be better than Reid, but Manchin? No way should he have a leadership role anywhere but with the Republicans.c
"…Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate…"? What is he, a moderate Republican? Whatever possessed Schumer to make that appointment? I suppose it is to try to stay intouch with as many citizens in WV as possible perhaps with a hope to expanding that representation.
Bernie and Warren will be the party pitbulls . . . did I ever say I love pitbulls! . . . and will try to hold feet to the fire as will others. I am surprised that Merkley isn't among them, although that may be because Washington's Patty Murray is in there.
As to Harry, if he were not retiring this year, I think the party would likely have given him a rest from the top job. There is no doubt that he is tired and unfortunately, not as effective as he could have been. The Dems need to do some serious building and not rely on Drumpf to be a failure we know he will be.
Charles Schumer was in the cards, so that was to be expected, and it's encouraging to hear that he does yield to outside pressure and gave both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren the leadership roles in the first Congress they deserve (if not more). Both Warren and Sanders are his ideological opponents when it comes to "Wall Street" and Schumer is clearly not give progressives free rule of the Democratic party by making Joe Manchin part of the leadership too. He probably's done that to stabilize his own establishment position amongst the true progressives, so it'll cost those progressives a little more effort to go forwards on a much needed new course. Let's hope they're ready in Congress for a great fight and on course when the Drumpf I empire tumbles.
Thanks all, Hugs. A agree, that Schumer is an improvement over the Nevada Leg Hound.