Mediaboss Marketing

The surprise retirement of Sen. Harry Reid, the gritty top Democrat in Congress, risks unraveling perhaps the biggest accomplishment of his combative decade in leadership: keeping unruly Democrats united in support of President Obama's agenda and rebuffing an overtly divided GOP.

As recently as a few weeks ago, the former amateur boxer gave every indication he would seek reelection in 2016, despite a New Year's exercise mishap that left him nearly blinded in one eye.

On Friday, the Capitol Hill veteran called it quits, suggesting he preferred to leave a legacy while still in his prime rather than overstay his effectiveness.

Somebody should go when they're still pretty good, Reid said in an interview Friday morning at his home near the Georgetown neighborhood.

The 75-year-old Nevadan made it clear that he was leaving on his own terms not because of his accident, Senate Democrats' new minority status or worries about his upcoming reelection campaign.

I want to be remembered for when I was able to bat third or cleanup a lot of the time, he said, sitting on a comfortable couch dressed in khakis, a gray cardigan and uncharacteristically colorful striped socks his special sunglasses still protecting his injured eye.

For Democrats, the challenge ahead is whether the post-Reid party can tamp down the growing ideological differences between liberal and more centrist Democrats, navigate a rare transfer of party leadership, and avoid the kind of infighting that has all but paralyzed their Republican colleagues.

The timing is particularly sensitive as Democrats look toward the 2016 election, when they have a chance to regain the Senate majority after the Republican takeover this year.

There hasn't been an active campaign for the top Democratic leadership position in either the House or Senate since Reid won his current post in 2005. Eager to avoid a leadership fight, Reid promptly anointed the No. 3 Democrat, Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York, as his successor.

Schumer, in 22 months if he plays his cards right should be able to do it, Reid said. I said, If you need my help, you got it. If I'm going to be in your way, I'll get out of your way.'

View post:
Sen. Harry Reid's retirement poses challenge for Democratic unity

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is no Joe Biden, but the Nevada Democrat has certainly offered his share of gaffes, insults and wacky comments over the years.

Indeed, in Reid -- who on Friday announced his retirement after more than three decades in Washington -- Capitol Hill stands to lose not only a battle-hardened, partisan warrior, but a reliable (and sometimes eye-popping) source of candor. Here are some highlights from the Reidisms reel:

Smelly tourists

Praising the opening of the Capitol Visitor Center in 2008, Reid said the new building would help minimize the smell of tourists visiting the Capitol. "My staff has always said, 'Don't say this,' but I'm going to say it again because it's so descriptive because it's true," Reid said at a dedication ceremony for the long-delayed visitor center adjacent to the Capitol. "In the summertime, because [of] the high humidity and how hot it gets here, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol."

The Iraq war is lost

Reid took heat for his assessment that the Iraq war was lost in early 2007. This war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything as indicated by the extreme violence in Iraq, the Democrat told reporters back in April 2007 amid a funding debate. Republicans called his pronouncement demoralizing for U.S. troops on the battlefield.

Obama light-skinned with no Negro dialect

According to the book "Game Change," which chronicled the 2008 presidential election, Reid privately described President Obama as a "light-skinned" African American "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one. Reid personally phoned the president to apologize and said he regretted using a poor choice of words.

Ted Kennedy's death is going to help us

In an August 2009 interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal, Reid pondered the impact of Sen. Ted Kennedy's death on Democrats' ongoing push for health care reform. "I think it's going to help us," Reid told the paper, saying the Massachusetts Democrat was an inspiration on health care. "That was the issue of his life and he didn't get it done."

The rest is here:
Smell the tourists: With Reid retirement, Capitol Hill loses master gaffe-ster

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York stands a podium March 3 as Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada looks on. Reid is backing Schumer to be his replacement as Democratic leader. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York stands a podium March 3 as Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada looks on. Reid is backing Schumer to be his replacement as Democratic leader.

Harry Reid's exit could have ignited a scramble to fill the power vacuum among Senate Democrats.

But the Nevada senator is doing his best to avoid what he called a "knock-down, drag-out fight" by endorsing Charles Schumer, the New York Democrat better known as Chuck, who has been Reid's top lieutenant for years.

"He will be elected to replace me in 22 months," Reid told KNPR about Schumer. "One reason that will happen is because I want him to be my replacement."

Reid called Schumer "a brilliant man" and "a tremendous asset."

Paul Kane of The Washington Post, who first reported Friday that Reid had endorsed Schumer, also noted per Reid that another possible candidate, Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, was likely to stand aside. A Durbin spokesman later told National Journal Friday that Durbin would not run. "Schumer has his support," the spokesman said. "Durbin intends to run again for Whip and has Senator Reid's support. He's been speaking with senators this morning."

Schumer a high-profile, camera-loving New Yorker is a very different type of leader than the softer-spoken, rules-maven Reid. Schumer has been waiting in the wings of power for years. He's been widely seen as the most influential Democrat in the Senate not named Reid.

Schumer has been by Reid's side and in his ear for a decade and is responsible for much of the caucus's messaging. In fact, Schumer and Reid merged communications offices to have a more unified voice.

Sen. Patty Murray, the highest-ranking woman in Senate Democratic leadership, is another potential candidate to replace Reid. Elaine Thompson/AP hide caption

See the original post:
What Reid Endorsing Schumer As Top Democrat Means

MO House Democrat Caucus 2015 Legislative Spring Break Press Conference
Missouri House of Representatives- House Minority Floor Leader Jacob Hummel and members of the Democrat caucus met with members of the press to discuss the first half of the 2015 legislative ...

By: MOHOUSECOMM

View post:
MO House Democrat Caucus 2015 Legislative Spring Break Press Conference - Video

Democrat Media Complex Begs Republicans to Raise Taxes
welcome to Obama HQ Pleas subscribe obama a obama arrives in india obama at siri fort obama and modi obama antichrist obama amnesty obama at rashtrapati bhavan obama als ice bucket ...

By: Obama HQ

View post:
Democrat Media Complex Begs Republicans to Raise Taxes - Video