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Sen. Dick Durbin to be Senate Minority Whip

Senate Democrats did themselves proud today. Richard Durbin (D-IL) will be the new Senate Minority Whip when the new Congress begins in January:

DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE LEADERSHIP

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement regarding the Senate Demaocratic leadership for the 109th Congress:

“I have spent the last few days talking with, and listening to, my Democratic colleagues in the Senate. In the course of those conversations we have discussed the direction in which we would like to see the Democratic Caucus move and what we would like to accomplish in the next few years.”

"As a result of those conversations, I have asked for my colleagues’ support to serve as Democratic Whip, the second spot in leadership, and now have more than a majority of members pledged to vote for me. I am deeply honored that my Senate colleagues are willing to entrust me with this responsibility. Our caucus is a diverse one, as is my home state of Illinois. I am confident that the lessons I have learned in working to address the broad range of concerns of my state will also help me in meeting the challenges of serving as Whip of this extraordinary Caucus.”

“I look forward to working with Harry Reid (D-Nevada) who will serve as the Democratic Leader. We have been close friends in Congress since we were both elected to the House in 1982, and know that we will continue that relationship as we work together on the issues that move our country forward.”

"I come to this new assignment saddened by the departure of my friend Sen. Tom Daschle. Tom and I served together in the House and Senate for the better part of two decades. I will miss his thoughtfulness, his counsel and his presence in our Caucus. But I also believe that Tom Daschle would be the first to say that the work that we are doing in the Senate must go forward.”

“In the months ahead the Senate will continue to be the most important forum in America to debate the great issues and to address the challenges facing our country. I look forward to working with members of both parties and the President to strengthen our nation’s security, expand opportunity and improve the quality of life for all Americans.”

Here's the short version of why TalkLeft is so up on Senator Durbin.

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