A Monument to Charles Schumer
When Harry Reid first tapped Chuck Schumer to lead the DSCC back in 2005, Republicans were still riding a wave of popularity. But an extreme reversal in the political climate, coupled with Schumer's success in recruiting good candidates, has made for much more lofty ambitions. Gains are now a given. The question is simply whether the pick-up will be three seats -- probably the minimum required for this year to be judged a success -- or something between that and six, the number the Democrats need to attain a majority.
Back in June, Schumer told me that the barometer had already changed significantly.
"When I took it in 05 I said to Harry, a bad year we'll lose three, a moderate year we'll stay even and in a good year we'll pick up two. Now that's changed. A bad year now will be staying even. A moderate year pick up one or two and a good year we pick up three or more."
Here's what DSCC spokesman Phil Singer told me today:
"We are a lot closer than anybody ever thought we would be but we are not there yet, and we are going to keep on working as hard as we possibly can until Election Day. Nobody is popping any champagne yet."
And here, for the hell of it, is the assessment of always-enthusiastic Democratic fund-raiser and TV talking head Robert Zimmerman:
"If the Democrats pick up four, Schumer's going to get pats on the back. Five, he gets a parade. If it's all six -- they're going to build him a statue."-- Jason Horowitz
The only place they should have a monument to Chuck "Still Killin' Arabs!" Schumer is in Tel Aviv.
President Hillary Clinton will put up an outhouse in Rose Garden and name it the "Chuck" and the nation will stop saying "I have to go to the John;" they will say "I have to go to the Chuck."
Chuck will be Majority Leader in January
You got to give to the old boy Schumer he was smart enought to make the Iraq war a disaster and he tought Bush how to be so dumb.
Tuesday the sun comes up because of Schumer
2:15 you are right you can't give Schumer credit for the political climate. But you must give Schumer credit for raising boat loads of cash and great candidate recruitment so that the Dems can take advantage of the political climate. Schumer told Dayton to shit or get off the pot in Minnesota and made sure that Byrd ran for reelection in West Virginia, both of which changed the the 2006 political landscape in a huge way.
DSCC Chair is what Chuck was born to be!!!
Schumer recruited conservative Democrats, just wait and see what happens if Dems take control of either house. You actually think Pelosi will be speaker? Look out for that sh*# show. This will not be a Netroots, Altanet victory. They got beat bigtime. Look at Lamont..
If Chuck is so all powerful why can't he get Iris a new job? She's been trying to get out of DOT for years.
What are the odds of Iris getting the State DOT Commissionership?
Do you think Chuck should have to repay Iris' salary to the city? She sure hasn't been much of a Transportation Commissioner.