It’s hard to choose the single most disheartening defeat from yesterday, but seeing Tom Daschle lose in South Dakota has to be right up there. Looking ahead, however, we need a Dem to fill his role as the party leader in the Senate. It may quickly get competitive, but a frontrunner already seems obvious.
Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who cruised to re-election yesterday, will announce his intentions today and get a head start on potential challengers. Indeed, Reid’s staff was making similar announcements last night.
Reid wants the job badly and a lot of lawmakers owe him some favors, which certainly makes him the odds-on favorite. But Reid as Minority Leader is not without risks.
Pros — Reid is exceedingly smart, tough, and has a reputation for unwavering honesty. He isn’t an in-your-face type or an inspiring orator, but he’s downright brilliant behind the scenes. Remember when Dems convinced Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.) to leave the Republicans? Reid made it happen. Moreover, Reid is also known as a centrist, so he’ll hardly be an alienating figure or GOP punching bag.
Cons — He’s from a relatively Republican state, so Reid may have to put his own interests above the party caucus’ from time to time. More importantly, Reid is — I hope you’re sitting down — opposed to abortion rights, which clearly puts him at odds with the overwhelming majority of congressional Dems on a high-profile issue.
Reid’s efforts this afternoon will give him a critical head start in the race for the job, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t face a rival or two. Among the names floating around: Chris Dodd (Conn.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), and Hillary Clinton (N.Y.). All three steer clear of the “cons” listed above, but none have been building up a favor reservoir the way Reid has.