Blue Spot

Schumer Steps Down From D.S.C.C. Post - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com

After two election cycles in which the Democrats gained at least 13 seats in the Senate, Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York is stepping down as chairman of the party’s campaign committee.

Mr. Schumer, the senior senator from New York, is expected to turn the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee over to Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey — keeping control of the campaign operation close to Wall Street, party officials said.

In 2006, Mr. Schumer led the successful Democratic drive to win back control of the Senate from the Republicans. The Democrats picked up six seats that year, bringing them to a razor-thin 51 to 49 majority, thanks to two independents who organize with the Democrats.

In recognition of his efforts, Mr. Schumer was named to a new leadership position as the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate, after the majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, and the whip, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.

This year, the Democrats have expanded their majority to at least 58 seats, with two races still undecided in Minnesota and Georgia. The unfinished races in Minnesota, where a recount is underway, and in Georgia, where a runoff will be held on Dec. 2, have kept alive the Democrats hopes of controlling 60 seats — the number needed to overcome filibusters and push legislation to a vote.

To Republicans, Mr. Schumer has become a symbol of raw and merciless politicking and his name is often invoked when the Republicans complain of unsavory campaign tactics such as a series of television advertisements this year attacking Republican incumbents for supporting the $700 billion bailout for the financial system.

Mr. Schumer himself voted in favor of the $700 billion bailout, but Democratic candidates made substantial gains by painting Republican Senators as beholden to President Bush on economic policies including the Treasury Department’s rescue plan.

Mr. Menendez will take over the campaign operations at a time of continuing strength for the Democrats. In 2010, 19 Senate Republicans will be up for re-election compared to just 15 Democrats, giving the Democrats an important numerical advantage.

Mr. Schumer at times has also vexed and impressed his fellow Democrats by seeming to insert himself into virtually every issue and in front of virtually every television camera. This weekend, for instance, he became the first Congressional Democrat to estimate the size of a potential economic recovery package. He pegged the effort at $500 billion to $700 billion at a time when President-elect Barack Obama and other party leaders have sought to be circumspect about the precise cost.

Labels: DSCC, Sen. Bob Menedez, Sen. Schumer, Senate

Dem division? It's Obama, Menendez, sources say - NJ.com

DENVER - Sen. Bob Menendez declined an invitation for a coveted speaking role at the Democratic National Convention because of lingering hard feelings between him and Barack Obama's camp, according to political and convention officials.

Menendez was offered a pre-prime-time speech, which would have been the New Jersey delegation's only shot at the Pepsi Center podium. But the deal was never closed because the senator did not feel he was given a prominent enough time slot, said the officials, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

It's the latest example, they said, of lingering unease that grew out of Obama's hard-fought primary battle with Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Though a longtime - and strident - Clinton supporter, Menendez was expected to address the convention and take an active role in Obama's campaign. He is a popular presence in the Latino community and Obama is aggressively courting that group in his effort to win the White House.

Menendez's absence from both the podium and Obama campaign events has become conspicuous. One Menendez ally acknowledged the problem yesterday but sought to downplay it, saying: "They just haven't connected yet."

In an interview between fund-raising events and media appearances yesterday, Menendez, an accomplished orator, would not say whether he declined the offer.

"You know, the thing is: speaking is not important. Winning is," Menendez said. "Speaking is a moment in time; winning is a moment in history."

Menendez stressed he is committed to Obama.

"I have no reason to have a hard feelings toward Obama," Menendez said. "My advocacy for Hillary was just that, advocacy for Hillary. It was for Hillary and not against Obama for the primary. I am fully enlisted in Obama's campaign to achieve the change we all want."

Labels: Obama supporters, Sen. Bob Menedez