http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2004-11-15-schumer_x.htmWASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday he has ruled out a run for New York governor in 2006 and instead will head the Democratic Party's effort to win seats in the Senate.
Schumer agreed to head the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and take a seat on the powerful Finance Committee, nixing the possibility of a 2006 gubernatorial campaign, a race which could have pitted him in a primary against state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.
The current New York governor, Republican George Pataki, has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2008.
Schumer, in a telephone interview, said accepting a position in Democratic leadership was easy, especially when it was coupled with the spot on Finance and the added influence of affecting New York's business climate.
"Frankly, I never really had to give it much thought," the senator said. "This was just an offer of my dreams ... The Finance Committee is something I aspired to be on. It's the most powerful committee and has jurisdiction over so many things that matter to New York, tax and trade."
Schumer sounded philosophical when discussing the choice, saying the speculation about his ambitions for the governor's job never reflected his thinking. "I've been a legislator my whole life, it's what I know how to do. I know people didn't believe me, but Senate was the only thing on my radar screen," he said.
Schumer, who easily won re-election Nov. 2, telephoned incoming Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Sunday night to accept the offer.
In taking the new positions, Schumer agreed to "see the DSCC job through the 2006 election and run for no other office."
Schumer said Reid pledged that the new job would also come with added responsibility for shaping the message of the Democratic Party. He is expected to begin in the new position in January, replacing Sen. Jon Corzine of New Jersey.
Republicans gained seats in the November election and will hold 55 when new members are sworn in this January. Democrats will have 44 seats with one Democratic-leaning independent.
Well thats good...I'd rather have Spitzer than Schumer since the governors seat will probably go Dem.
