Who should replace Harry Reid as Majority Leader?

[backscatter712]

There's a reason why Democrats are stereotyped as effete, milquetoast pantywaists, and his name is Harry Reid. He needs to go.

I know, that may not happen, because as wimpy as Reid is when he deals with the Republicans or douchenozzles like Joe Lieberman, the fangs come out when it comes to him beating members of his own party into pantywaisting with him.

But, if it can at all be managed, Reid's gotta be pushed off his little hill, and a more worthy person installed as Senate Majority Leader.

I suggested Patrick Leahy earlier, but the feedback I got suggested he enjoyed and was more useful as chair of the Judiciary Committee. Hillary Clinton would also be good - she fought a damned hard campaign against Obama, she's shown that she's got enough fangs to do the job right. There's also Feingold, though some people aren't happy with him recently, he'd still be a hell of an improvement over Reid.

Ideas?

[Captain Hilts]

1. Either Feingold or Clinton would work for me.

I like the Rhode Island boyz as well - Whitehouse and Reed.

[BlueCaliDem]

2. Senator Leahy for showing spine to come out and say Sen. Lieberman should not retain his

...plum chairmanships after what he'd done.

This takes leadership spine!

[Captain Hilts]

6. I agree. Kudos to Pat Leahy. nt

[lester94111]

3. Prez elect Obama said we should keep JL in the caucas should

Barack Obama be replaced, too?

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Russ Feingold or Barbara Boxer

Leahy deserves some props, but I think he's happy where he is on the judiciary committee.

[Barack_America]

5. Clinton.

But Feingold and Boxer would also be good.

[cali]

7. Sadly, Leahy, Boxer or Feingold would never stand a chance of being

elected as ML by their peers.

[lligrd]

8. Boxer nt

[Fovea]

9. Clinton has been mychoice for a while

I really think the meeting was the following question

Barak: Ok Hillary, can you be a team player as majority leader in the Senate, or should I end your elected career by making you SoS?

Hillary: Is this a trick question?

[LostinVA]

10. Clinton -- she's a hard hitter and a good lawyer

Clinton as PEO's Majority pointwoman, and McCain as his Opposition pointman.

[olkaz]

19. /signed

It has to be Hillary.

[Creideiki]

11. I'd suggest Durbin

But he doesn't want the job. He likes his current one.

[tabbycat31]

12. I'm going to ditto Thom Hartmann

and suggest Hillary Clinton

[lamp_shade]

13. Whitehouse. I like this guy.

[LynneSin]

14. Reid is retiring? If not it will be Reid

Trust me, any democrat who takes that job regardless of their stance on the political spectrum, will be hated by DUers alike within 6 months of owning the job.

[TheKentuckian]

18. I don't know about. Harry has a special mix of luke warm moderation and lack of backbone

that are difficult to replicate. The people of Nevada like him but I've yet to see what he brings to the top leadership spot. I'm open to the concept that I'm not appreciating what he does do but I've never seen a defense of Reid that includes attributes or accomplishments that make Harry a great fit for the position he has.

Its always a "he's not so bad" or a "you guys wouldn't like anybody" type arguments versus any actually affirmative ones. My perception is that he wa picked on a mix of longevity (of course) and an ability to not rock the boat. I'd assume he's a productive fundraiser but have never followed him on that at all.

[LynneSin]

21. I'm not ready to count Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi out just yet

the last 2 years were weird because anytime we tried to do good, Bush would just veto us.

I have a feeling that now that we have the grown-ups in the White House we might have a chance to see some change happen. I could be wrong, I am at least once a day. But it would be interesting to see what happens in 2 years.

[backscatter712]

20. Of course, any majority leader is going to be a lightning rod, but...

I have to give Harry Reid the nickname "Caveman" due to his behavior when it comes to negotiating with the Rethugs on bills like FISA or Iraq war spending bills...

[LynneSin]

27. Don't go with his own personal voting record

you'll find that Majority/Minority leaders will sometimes vote with the opposition if they feel there is a chance that the issue could be re-opened. I probably can't explain it myself but it's a procedural move that allows a party to re-consider an issue on some measure.

Hey, I'm not a senate expert.

[dkofos]

15. Clinton

[Maven]

16. Clinton, without a doubt.

[latinolatteliberal]

17. Boxer n/t

[Unsane]

22. Dick Durbin

[ronnykmarshall]

23. Clinton

[JI7]

24. nobody is going to replace him after the success of these elections

[alwysdrunk]

25. Clinton

Also, what does "Lion of the Senate" mean? I've heard this unofficial title for Ted Kennedy. One that Clinton will take over when he retires.

[onenote]

26. Pop quiz: when was the last time the majority party replaced its leader

without the incumbent majority leader having been defeated or retired or voluntarily decided to give up the post?