WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., has been picked to be the Democrats' lead Senate negotiator on any bill to revamp Social Security, Roll Call said Monday.
Baucus was given the assignment by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., despite his sometimes testy relationship with Reid's predecessor, former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
Citing unnamed Democratic sources, the paper said Reid secured a commitment from Baucus to work more closely with the Democratic Caucus than he has in the past on issues on which Democrats have traditionally enjoyed an advantage -- many of which President Bush is trying to co-opt.
As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Baucus seems the natural point man on Social Security. However, he often sparred with Daschle, who often tried to prevent him from making deals with Republicans on taxes and entitlement programs.
If Baucus does move too far into the Republican camp during negotiations, a source said, his high-profile role could be taken over by others in the Senate Democratic leadership.
Reid's office declined to characterize the meeting.
