ducks
11-03-2004, 10:13 AM
Nevada's Reid May Succeed Daschle
2 hours, 14 minutes ago
By LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Harry Reid of Nevada had positioned himself to succeed Tom Daschle as the party's Senate leader in the event of a Daschle defeat. Until the wee hours of Wednesday morning, it was just a contingency. Now it's close to reality for the minority whip.
Photo
AP Photo
Elections 2004
Votes Electoral Popular
Bush 254 51%
Kerry 252 48%
Live Election Results
Latest Headlines:
Daschle lost a close race to Republican John Thune, and Reid will now learn whether his loyalty as the leader's trusted lieutenant will pay off.
While it was no secret that Daschle faced a tough race, the subject of succession was not discussed openly by Democrats. Reid kept silent Tuesday as Daschle battled for his political life.
Reid, 64, easily won a fourth term Tuesday with 61 percent of the vote in Nevada, a much different result from his 428-vote margin in 1998.
His only potential rival could be Sen. Christopher Dodd (news, bio, voting record) of Connecticut, who won with 66 percent.
Dodd, 60, had said before the election that he was counting on Daschle to be re-elected.
However, Reid and Dodd both had signaled interest in succeeding the South Dakotan nearly two years ago.
The two men began a quick, competing round of calls to fellow Democrats when it appeared Daschle might run for president. Several party officials said Reid at the time appeared to have enough commitments to guarantee victory.
Reid voted with Republicans to ban a procedure that opponents call partial birth abortion. In 1999, he was one of two Senate Democrats who voted against an amendment expressing support for the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
However, Reid has paid his party dues in more than one way.
While Daschle was planning Democratic strategy off the floor, Reid was the lieutenant in the chamber, arguing daily for the party's legislation and opposing the majority Republican positions. He counted votes, lined up Democratic speakers and acted as floor manager for his party's bills.
He also paid his dues with money. His political action committee made a $1 million contribution to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and he has hosted fund-raisers in Las Vegas for several Democratic candidates.
Republicans labeled Daschle an obstructionist. If the low-key but tenacious Reid succeeds him, it remains to be seen whether the GOP will transfer that label to the new leader.
2 hours, 14 minutes ago
By LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Harry Reid of Nevada had positioned himself to succeed Tom Daschle as the party's Senate leader in the event of a Daschle defeat. Until the wee hours of Wednesday morning, it was just a contingency. Now it's close to reality for the minority whip.
Photo
AP Photo
Elections 2004
Votes Electoral Popular
Bush 254 51%
Kerry 252 48%
Live Election Results
Latest Headlines:
Daschle lost a close race to Republican John Thune, and Reid will now learn whether his loyalty as the leader's trusted lieutenant will pay off.
While it was no secret that Daschle faced a tough race, the subject of succession was not discussed openly by Democrats. Reid kept silent Tuesday as Daschle battled for his political life.
Reid, 64, easily won a fourth term Tuesday with 61 percent of the vote in Nevada, a much different result from his 428-vote margin in 1998.
His only potential rival could be Sen. Christopher Dodd (news, bio, voting record) of Connecticut, who won with 66 percent.
Dodd, 60, had said before the election that he was counting on Daschle to be re-elected.
However, Reid and Dodd both had signaled interest in succeeding the South Dakotan nearly two years ago.
The two men began a quick, competing round of calls to fellow Democrats when it appeared Daschle might run for president. Several party officials said Reid at the time appeared to have enough commitments to guarantee victory.
Reid voted with Republicans to ban a procedure that opponents call partial birth abortion. In 1999, he was one of two Senate Democrats who voted against an amendment expressing support for the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
However, Reid has paid his party dues in more than one way.
While Daschle was planning Democratic strategy off the floor, Reid was the lieutenant in the chamber, arguing daily for the party's legislation and opposing the majority Republican positions. He counted votes, lined up Democratic speakers and acted as floor manager for his party's bills.
He also paid his dues with money. His political action committee made a $1 million contribution to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and he has hosted fund-raisers in Las Vegas for several Democratic candidates.
Republicans labeled Daschle an obstructionist. If the low-key but tenacious Reid succeeds him, it remains to be seen whether the GOP will transfer that label to the new leader.