Durbin’s job in jeopardy? Democratic Whip Job in Jeopardy?

The Hill reports:

Sen. Dick Durbin’s job as Democratic whip is in danger in the absence of a crucial endorsement from New York Sen. Charles Schumer, the incoming Democratic leader, say Senate aides.

Democratic aides say Schumer’s backing could make or break Durbin’s bid to hang onto his job as the Senate’s No. 2 Democratic leader.


“The real interesting story here is what does Schumer want. The caucus is going to want to give the person they elect leader the ability to put together a leadership team that works, his own team,” said a Senate Democratic aide.

No one has said they will challenge Durbin for whip but, tellingly, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the fourth-ranking member of the Democratic leadership hasn’t ruled it out, either.

Durbin’s allies note that the Illinois Democrat received a boost Friday when Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) promised in a phone call Friday to endorse him for whip.

But the silence of Schumer and Murray may be more telling, say other Democratic sources.

Not one big happy team?