The Senate's top two Democrats disagree over whether their party's presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton should choose Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren as her vice presidential running mate,
The Hill reports.
Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has softened his previous opposition to Warren's candidacy, while New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, poised to likely succeed Reid as leader in the next Congress, opposes her, The Hill writes.
Reid answered "Hell no" when asked in late May whether he would like to see Warren on the ticket with Clinton. One fear Democrats have is that they could lose an advantage if Clinton wins the White House, Warren was forced to resign, and the state's Republican governor then appointed a temporary replacement before holding a special election.
Reid's concerns appear to have been assuaged after he asked Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias to look into the issue. Elias found that Gov. Charlie Baker would have to call the election within 160 days of the vacancy.
Schumer, hoping to become majority rather than minority leader, is not as convinced and would like Warren to keep her seat in the Senate, The Hill reports.
Republicans currently hold a four-seat majority in the Senate, but 24 of those positions are up for grabs this November. Only 10 Democratic seats are.
A Schumer spokes denied to The Hill that the senator opposes Warren being chosen as Clinton's running mate
The Hill quoted one longtime Senate aide as saying a Warren choice would be a "win-win' for both Reid and Schumer.
"Either Warren is picked for VP and they rid themselves of [someone] who holds Schumer accountable for Wall Street, or they elevate Warren as a progressive star whose fundraising helps win back the majority," the aide said. "Regardless, they burnish their own lefty credentials. It’s masterly Machiavellian in every way."
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.