If Reid loses, could Schumer lead Senate?

WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- If Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid loses in November, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., could be the highest-ranking Jewish elected official ever, insiders say.

During his three-decade legislative career, Schumer, 59, earned a reputation as the most effective lawmaker of his generation -- as well as a hard-nosed, media-addicted politico, The Washington Post said.

Schumer has maneuvered himself into the center of issues ranging from jobs to immigration to Supreme Court hearings, becoming the engineer of the current Democratic majority, observers say. Notably, Schumer's senatorial colleagues say, he is considered a front-runner to be their leader should Reid lose a heated battle to keep his seat.

"It's very much within the realm of possibility," said retiring Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. "He's always moving and always talking to people and he has a very good feel for what other people have to put up with. And that's a critical point of that job, understanding the environment your colleague has to operate in."

Schumer declined to be interviewed by the Post.

If Reid of Nevada is chased from the Senate, Schumer's closest competitor for the party's top post is Dick Durbin of Illinois, the liberal majority whip, the Post said. Colleagues say each senator has particular strengths -- Durbin has a pleasant disposition and is consensus builder while Schumer is a dogged fighter who never has lost an election.

The White House is trying to seem neutral, but has sent a mixed message, the Post said.

"(President Barack Obama) has a record of working well with both," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. "Obviously he has a longer, more personal relationship with Senator Durbin as a result of being home-state colleagues and for his help getting him elected in 2004 and 2008."