Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 | 7:44 p.m.
WASHINGTON -- So what's the difference in how Democrats and Republicans go about recruiting candidates to run for the Senate, I was asking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid during a quiet moment early on Election Night.
Under New York Sen. Chuck Schumer’s watch Democrats have picked at least a dozen winners over the past two cycles as Republicans struggled this year to find viable contenders.
“It’s mine and Schumer’s soft touch,” Reid said without even a pause.
Like so many productive partnerships, the Schumer-Reid era is coming to a close. After a four-year winning streak, Schumer will be stepping down as head of the re-election committee for Senate Democrats, it was announced today.
New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez will take over as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Schumer will stay in the No. 3 post in party leadership in the Senate.
Reid must be feeling pretty confident in his own 2010 re-election to let go of Schumer’s magic. Schumer led Democrats as they picked up six seats in 2006 and another seven this year (with two races from the November election still undecided). Their majority is greater than it has been in 30 years.
Neither office would say much today about the decision. Schumer hasn’t wanted to publicly discuss his plans over the past several weeks. He faces his own race in 2010, when he will stand for re-election. Plus, it’s always nice to quit while you’re ahead.
Menendez will make a “superb leader,” Reid said in announcing the decision, adding his colleague’s “mastery of policy is matched only by his mastery of politics.”
Perhaps the start of another beneficial relationship.
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