Senate to get more “Senatey”
The upper chamber stands to return to its more traditional days with the ascension of either Mitch McConnell or Harry Reid to majority leader. The Washington Post explains:
Some congressional scholars say it could mean greater bipartisan accord because McConnell and Reid are consummate deal-makers whose top priority is legislative achievement, whereas Frist’s presidential ambitions have shadowed his comments and deeds as majority leader. But both men are also dogged by questions about financial dealings that could provide ammunition for opponents in the next Congress, which is virtually sure to be narrowly divided.
McConnell and Reid rose through the Senate ranks by mastering the rules and building strong relationships with colleagues. Both are combative lawyer-politicians who overcame childhood challenges and are now in their mid-60s. Unlike Frist, a surgeon, they are veteran practitioners of the Senate’s opaque, clubby brand of politics, with no apparent desire to become president or grab television time to espouse their parties’ goals.
Many senators say that either Reid or McConnell, because of their backgrounds, can lead the Senate with more skill than Frist, 54, who struggled to build winning coalitions on issues such as immigration, Social Security and the nominations of several judges and John R. Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
It looks like it is going to be McConnell. Also worth noting, is the potential leadership structure for the Senate GOP caucus. If Santorum wins he will be whip. If he loses, the odds on favorite to be whip is Trent Lott. You can say alot about Lott, but one thing is for sure: The guy knows how to make the Senate work.
The other members of Leadership will be Kay Bailey Hutchison at the Republican Policy Committee. Jon Kyl will be leading the Senate conference and John Ensign will head up the NRSC in a tough 2008 Presidential election season