Last week seems like, well, right. But it was all of a week ago we quoted without commment Patricia Murphy of Roll Call saying something about how the incoming president would need Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), “the rising Senate Democratic leader and the man poised to be a Clinton consiglieri or Trump’s not-so-loyal opposition”. Shoulda, coulda, doesn’t matter woulda said something, you know? Because, a headline today from The Hill tells us, “Protesters block Schumer’s office, call for new leadership”, and, you know, why not?
Meanwhile, Roll Call runs a bland, informative headline, but stings in the sub with, “Protesters chant for Schumer to ‘grow a spine,’ step aside for Sanders or Warren”.
It seems well enough to add that it is a tough question insofar as Bernie Sanders (VT) seems the odd man out. To the one, is there anything he can push from the leadership spot that Elizabeth Warren (MA) can’t? And if she would be Democratic Leader, can anyone really imagine Sanders as Whip? Something about Patty Murray goes here, with Schumer and Sanders as Conference vice-chairs and their choices for committee ranking seats to appease. Senate Democrats have some strong talent; the question is how they respond to shifting political themes.
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Image note: U.S. Capitol Police arrest protesters who were staging a sit-in in the office of Sen. Charles E. Schumer on Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Gangitano, Alex and Bridget Bowman. “Protesters Arrested Outside Schumer’s Office”. Roll Call. 14 November 2016.
Hensch, Mark. “Protesters block Schumer’s office, call for new leadership”. The Hill. 14 November 2016.
Murphy, Patricia. “Chuck Schumer Is on the Line”. Roll Call. 3 November 2016.
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