Word that U.S. Senate minority leader Harry Reid is resigning threw the spotlight on Illinois Senator Dick Durbin as a possible successor, but only briefly. Durbin is second in the leadership lineup and was considered a likely successor, but soon after announcing his plans to step down, Reid threw his support to New York Senator Chuck Schumer, one step below Durbin among the leadership. Both men are now likely to start lining up votes among their colleagues and will likely have to fend off challenges from younger Democrats. The Durbin-Schumer battle pits two former roommates against each other -- they shared a frat-house style townhouse with other lawmakers for years in Washington until recently.
