Reid in line to be new Senate minority leader

Benjamin Grove

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004 | 11:30 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is expected to swiftly lay the groundwork to try to become the next Senate Democratic leader, following the loss Tuesday of current leader Tom Daschle to former Rep. Tom Thune, R-S.D.

Reid was unavailable for comment this morning, but was expected to discuss his bid for his party's leadership position at a press conference later today in the Las Vegas Valley. Senate Democrats could choose a new leader as early as December.

Reid and the rest of the party today are still reeling from the loss of Daschle, a longtime Reid ally. Tuesday night, Reid was optimistic until the end that Daschle could win.

"I've talked to him a couple of times tonight, we're confident he'll pull it out at the last minute," Reid said during the Democrats' Las Vegas party at the Rio. "It's going to be very close." Asked about what would happen if Daschle should lose, Reid said, "not now."

Reid was on the phone about 6 a.m. Nevada time to begin calling his colleagues, spokeswoman Tessa Hafen said. Reid spoke to Daschle in the middle of the night, shortly after Daschle conceded, Hafen said.

A vote for new leader could happen later this month when lawmakers return for a lame-duck session, Hafen said.

But Reid is now the favorite to be elected by his Democratic peers as minority leader, although it's not clear who might challenge him for the spot.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is also said to be interested in the job, according to Hotline, an online political news service. A Clinton spokeswoman was not immediately available today.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., along with Reid, considered running for the post when Daschle considered a presidential bid in 2002. Dodd also planned to address the media today, spokeswoman Holly Barnes said.

Reid gave the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee $1 million in September, a move seen as enhancing his position among Democratic peers.

Daschle's defeat and Reid's re-election do not guarantee Nevada's senator the leadership position. It will be up to his fellow Democrats.

"Right now we are full of theories, but it goes to the psychology of the caucus coming off last night," said Jennifer Duffy, managing editor and a political analyst for The Cook Political Report.

Duffy said Reid has earned the position and has shown he has the votes, but someone could come into the caucus with the idea that there needs to be a radical change. The new leader could be selected during new member orientation in December, although a specific date could not be nailed down today.

If elected, Reid could keep his choice seat as the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which controls the Yucca Mountain project budget, or his other committee assignments.

Duffy said for Nevada, Reid as minority leader could be a "net plus but a balance."

"In some respects, Reid might run into some of the same problems Daschle did, leading a caucus that is more liberal than the state," Duffy said.

Nevada has never had a Senate party leader since the parties began designating leaders in 1920. Reid, as the No. 2 Senate Democrat, or minority whip, is the highest-ranking Nevadan ever in the chamber.

Reid has spent much of the last few years as Daschle's top lieutenant running the Senate floor for the Democrats. Reid is generally seen by his peers as a skilled back-room deal-maker, observers have said.

Observers Tuesday night already were speculating on what kind of party leader Reid might be.

David Gergen, who served as a White House adviser to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton, said during a television interview that Republicans see Reid as less of an obstructionist than Daschle. Other pundits have suggested that Reid might not be the best public face for the party because his strengths lie in behind-the-scenes negotiating and not in being a telegenic spokesman.

Majority and minority party leaders are mouthpieces for their parties on issues. From the front two desks on the center aisle of the Senate chamber, they control which issues come to the Senate floor for action and keep tabs on Senate committee leaders.