[jwplayer GcMDFqZA]
(WASHINGTON POST) Just weeks away from relinquishing his power as Senate majority leader after a humiliating midterm election for Democrats, Sen. Harry M. Reid has positioned himself to end a historically unproductive Congress on an unexpectedly high note.
After Reid (D-Nev.) exploited a weekend rebellion on immigration by rogue Republican senators as a $1.1 trillion spending bill was up against the clock, the Senate will move ahead this week on key executive branch nominations submitted by President Obama that appeared to be stalled not long ago.
The conservative uprising that Reid maneuvered to his advantage has also rekindled concerns about rancor among Republicans. As Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) gets set to succeed Reid as majority leader, the familiar GOP problem has again turned attention away from Democrats’ troubles.
